DENVER, July 28 /EMWNews/ -- Lockheed Martin, the Space Foundation

and SpaceClass announced today the launch of a strategic online education

collaboration called Orion's Path. The interactive virtual classroom

project will form a link between teachers, students and NASA's human space

exploration program known as Constellation.



    Orion is the crew exploration vehicle being designed and built by NASA

and its prime contractor Lockheed Martin. The spacecraft will be the

flagship of NASA's Constellation Program, which is comprised of the

vehicles and systems that will carry astronauts to the International Space

Station and conduct sustained human exploration of the moon and Mars.



    "Lockheed Martin is committed to our partnership with NASA to extend

human presence throughout our solar system and we are very pleased to

support this new education tool that will draw students in to the exciting

world of space exploration," said Joanne Maguire, executive vice president,

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "It is extremely important to the

future of our country that we engage students and teachers at every level

of science, math and technology if we are to sustain the next generation of

scientists and space explorers. We are delighted to partner with SpaceClass

and the Space Foundation to deliver this robust educational resource," said

Maguire.



    Orion's Path is an interactive lesson on SpaceClass -- the only

web-based education program using videos and virtual science labs to engage

students in research being conducted for space exploration. Lesson contents

meet National Learning Standards for middle school grades, and use of the

site is free to teachers.



    The Orion spacecraft is featured in lively video segments in Orion's

Path. Students get an in-depth look at Constellation vehicles and how they

will work; hear from a lunar habitat and spacesuit expert; meet an

astronaut who explains why it is important to explore the moon and beyond;

and learn about making oxygen and water from the resources found on the

moon. Finally, students take Orion to Mars and compare the geology,

gravity, temperatures and other special features of the red planet to those

of the moon.



    Lockheed Martin provided both funding and significant technical

expertise in the partnership and development of Orion's Path. The Space

Foundation contributed additional resources to the site for teachers who

require more in-depth information about space science topics. The program

delivery is located on the SpaceClass website at http://www.spaceclass.org.



    "The Space Foundation is pleased to partner with Lockheed Martin on

this exciting education activity that brings space exploration to a new

level of accuracy and realism for students and teachers," said Elliot G.

Pulham, president and chief executive officer, Space Foundation. "Orion's

Path will help inspire students who will be the space explorers of the

future."



    The online program is one of numerous educational programs Lockheed

Martin supports to encourage and inspire students in STEM (science,

technology, engineering and math) careers.



    Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of

Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and

operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national

security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human

space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation,

meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space

observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic

missiles; and missile defense systems.



    Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000

people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,

development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced

technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007

sales of $41.9 billion. For more information, visit

http://www.lockheedmartin.com.



    Founded in 1983 and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the

Space Foundation is an international nonprofit organization advancing

space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity. The Space

Foundation fosters educational enterprises that bring space in to the

classroom through its Space Discovery Institute, Teacher Liaison program,

annual Space Career Fair, and free online lesson bank for educators. For

more information, visit http://www.SpaceFoundation.org.



    SpaceClass Inc., a Colorado-based company founded in 2004, is the only

web-based education program combining videos and animated virtual science

labs that engage students in research actually being conducted for future

space missions. Students work online with simulations of technology being

developed for journeys into space as well as for improving life on Earth.

Lessons include Orion's Path, Journey to a Black Hole, Asteroid Challenge:

Target Earth, Bones in Space, and Mission to Mars. For more information,

visit http://www.spaceclass.org.






     Media Contacts:

     Joan Underwood

     Lockheed Martin Space Systems

     Office 303-971-7398; Mobile 303-594-7073

     email, [email protected]

     http://www.lockheedmartin.com



     Beth McKnight

     SpaceClass

     Office 206-780-1049, Mobile 303-709-5337

     email, [email protected]

     http://www.spaceclass.org



     Kendra Horn

     Space Foundation

     Office 719-576-8000; Mobile 719-433-4007

     email, [email protected]

     http://www.SpaceFoundation.org