Orbital
Sciences Ships Taurus II Booster Cores
via the
Port of Wilmington, Delaware
(Wilmington, Del)
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The Port of
Wilmington today offloaded the first of six to twelve first-stage core
structures for the Taurus® II rocket that is being developed by Orbital
Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) , one of the world's leading space
technology companies. These 100 ft long and 15 ft wide cores originate
in the Ukraine and will be trucked to the Wallops Island, VA launch site
on a custom-built heavy-duty trailer. Orbital’s Taurus II space launch
vehicle is a medium-class launcher that will be used to conduct resupply
missions to the International Space Station, as well as a launcher for
civil government, defense and intelligence, and commercial satellites.
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“Handling
Orbital’s rocket booster cores is a great compliment to the Port of
Wilmington and the State of Delaware. It underscores our excellent
location and infrastructure, as well as our logistical expertise,” said
Diamond State Port Corporation Executive Director, Gene Bailey.
“Furthermore, the fact that Delaware’s Departments of Transportation and
the Department of Safety and Homeland Security are very accommodating in
facilitating truck permitting and police and utilities escorts for such
complex movement of cargo has been very helpful to our customers,” he
added.
The movement of this high-value piece was
complex because the core unit was discharged off a uniquely configured
stern ramp Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off) ship that required special mooring
arrangements. In addition, the unit will be driven on a custom-made
truck, which is challenging to maneuver along public roadways. In
preparation for the discharge, Orbital conducted a successful data
collection test transport run in June 2010 driving a booster mock-up
from the Port to the Wallops Island, VA launch facility.
About
the Port of Wilmington, Delaware
Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is
a full service Mid-Atlantic seaport on the Delaware River strategically
located serving over 200 million North American consumers by overnight
truck and rail delivery. Wilmington ranks as the nation’s leading
gateway for imported perishable cargo, and a major automobile export hub
to the Middle East, Central America, and West Africa. In recent years,
project cargo handled by the Port includes: wind turbine blades, a
methanol plant, and oversized generators. An economic engine for the
State of Delaware and the region, it is responsible for 14,900 jobs,
$405 million in business revenue, and $28 million in annual local taxes.
The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a
corporation of the State of Delaware.
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