John Karas to Lead New Group

Lockheed Martin has formed a new organization to manage the corporation's efforts in support of NASA's space exploration initiative. The organization, which will be called Space Exploration, will be led by John C. Karas and be headquartered in Denver (CO) as part of the Space Systems Company.

The new organization's chief products include space launch systems, defense systems, interplanetary and science spacecraft, spacecraft for commercial and government customers, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems. Karas will report to G. Thomas Marsh, executive vice president for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, and will be supported by Jay Honeycutt, vice president and special assistant for Human Spaceflight and Space Shuttle Return to Flight.

The new organization will work toward a new space initiative set by President Bush. The President and NASA have laid out a vision for robotic and human space exploration, eventually returning humans to the moon and then sending humans to Mars.

"Our Space Exploration organization will call upon resources across Lockheed Martin -- our enormous systems engineering expertise, extensive exploration experience and unique facilities -- to help NASA achieve this vision for space exploration," said G. Thomas Marsh.

Previously, Karas was vice president, Atlas and Advanced Space Transportation. This responsibility included launch systems development and recurring operations for the Atlas/Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program and advanced space transportation opportunities such as Orbital Space Plane and other manned, unmanned, reusable and expendable systems.

Karas began his career in 1978. He has worked at all levels of a human- rated space program integrating the Centaur upper stage with the Space Shuttle in coordination with the NASA Johnson, Kennedy and Glenn Space Centers. Karas also previously served as the director of the Advanced Space Systems and Technology department and site director of the company's operations in Huntsville, AL, and as manager of Advanced Avionics Systems.

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