Orbital Sciences Plants Searched by U.S. Agents

Orbital Sciences Corp., which makes launch vehicles used to put satellites into orbit, said U.S. agents had conducted searches at two of its facilities in what the company believes is an investigation into contracting procedures on certain government launch vehicle programs.

Orbital said search warrants were executed Thursday at its Dulles, Va., and Chandler, Ariz., facilities and that company executives were fully cooperating with the investigators.

Launch vehicle revenue accounted for almost half of Orbital’s total revenue of $676 million in 2004, and more than half of its operating income of $55.3 million.