Orbital Science Corp.'s launch vehicle business in Chandler has received its first order to supply a Minotaur rocket to the U.S. Air Force under at $475 million 10-year contract awarded early this year.

At a time when many businesses are cutting back, Orbital Sciences Corp. will break ground Thursday on an 82,000-square-foot expansion of its rocket development and production campus in south Chandler.

Orbital Sciences Corp. in Chandler will produce 20 high-tech rockets designed to take out enemy missiles launched against the United States, thanks to an $823 million add-on to a contract between The Boeing Co. and the federal government.

Orbital Sciences Corp. has taken possession of a new 82,000-square-foot building in south Chandler and has started moving employees into the new space.

Orbital Sciences Corp. announced a major expansion Monday to its rocket research, engineering, manufacturing and testing facilities in Chandler.

Orbital Sciences Corp. said Friday it has won a contract that could exceed $200 million over the next seven years to launch scientific satellites for NASA.

Orbital Science Corp.’s Launch Systems Group in Chandler will have an employment open house Saturday in an effort to fill about 100 engineering and other technical jobs available at the space firm.

Orbital Sciences Corp., a developer and manufacturer of space and rocket systems, is looking to expand operations in west Chandler.

Orbital Sciences Corp. will officially open its new Arizona Program Management Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday at 3377 S. Price Road, Chandler.

Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Launch Systems Group in Chandler, already bulging at the seams with military and civilian rocket work, will get more business under a newly awarded NASA program to develop a cargo resupply system for the International Space Station.

An expansion project for Orbital Sciences Corp. in Chandler will give the company more room to develop and manufacture a new, more powerful rocket to supply the International Space Station and launch other payloads for commercial and government customers.

The shroud of secrecy surrounding the investigation into Orbital Sciences Corp. continued one day after federal agents raided the defense contractor’s south Chandler plant and Virginia headquarters.

Orbital Sciences Corp. is eying a move into manned space flight, and that could bring more business to the company’s Chandler operations if NASA and the Obama administration are willing.

The Orbital Sciences Launch Systems Group in Chandler has won a $400 million contract for build interceptor missiles for the national missile defense system, the latest in a string of big contracts the company has won for missile defense work.

WASHINGTON — NASA has introduced a group it calls the seven new pioneers of space. They are not astronauts, but private companies.

Federal authorities shut down a major defense contractor plant Thursday morning in Chandler, telling workers to go home as agents scoured the facility.

Federal authorities shut down a major defense contractor plant Thursday morning in Chandler, telling workers to go home as agents scoured the facility.

The Valley of the Sun is playing some vital roles in NASA’s Orion Project, the next generation of spacecraft that will eventually take humans to the moon and Mars.

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its Chamber Awards for 2009. The awards will be presented at the annual awards dinner at 5:30 p.m. June 4 at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, 1 San Marcos Place.

An explosion at a satellite and rocket manufacturing plant Thursday afternoon in south Chandler injured three workers and rattled the nerves of employees.

Quick takes from the Tribune Editorial Board...

Gilbert residents Jeff and Tanya Kline are quickly making their transition into the East Valley dry cleaning industry. The husband-and-wife business duo recently opened its third Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise store in just a few short months.