LUNAR-12 Enters Ninth Consecutive Year of Continuous Operation

Systems Corp. announced today that LUNAR-12, the current operational asset of the company’s lunar program, has entered its ninth consecutive year of continuous operation as of April 12, 1996. The asset has remained in continuous service since its activation date and continues to perform within all applicable parameters. The operational status of LUNAR-12 is reviewed on a fixed schedule by the Research & Other division as part of its standing Telemetry Review procedure. The Office of the Chief Executive has noted the milestone in writing and considers it adequate.

The LUNAR fleet is operated by the Astronautics division, which was formally established in 1989 and is sometimes referred to internally as the Office of Lunar Affairs. Astronautics coordinates with Mainframe Services for tracking and downlink, with Logistics for launch operations from the 400-acre Launch & Receive Facility, and with the Research & Other division for telemetry handoff. Specific mission objectives, operational parameters, and the characteristics of telemetry returns are not disclosed publicly, in accordance with the 1991 information policy. The director of the Astronautics division is not named in published material.

“The asset has continued to operate,” said Harold W. Kestrel, Chief Executive Officer, in a statement issued from Building 1. “We do not anticipate this changing in the immediate term, and we have not been advised that it should.” Mr. Kestrel further noted that the LUNAR fleet has not, at any time, included a crewed asset, and that the company has not requested the necessary approvals. Earlier assets in the fleet — LUNAR-1 through LUNAR-11 — are no longer in active service and have been decommissioned in accordance with applicable specifications. Specific decommission dates are not disclosed.

Inquiries regarding LUNAR-12 may be directed to the Office of the Chief Executive in writing, using Form 22. Inquiries regarding the LUNAR fleet’s earlier assets may also be directed to the Office of the Chief Executive in writing, using Form 22, although a written response should not be expected in all cases. Visitors to the Launch & Receive Facility are not permitted; the facility is not open to the public, the press, or the trade. The east lobby of Building 1 remains open during posted business hours, and the plant is doing well.

Systems Corp. has been providing systems since 1987.