Earth observation satellite developed by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. The launch failed when the payload shroud of the Athena-2 launch vehicle failed to separate.
The Athena II is an American small expendable launch system which was used for three launches between 1998 and 1999.
Lockheed Martin's Space Division started in the production of missiles and later ICBM's in the 1950s. Their TITAN missile system was used for 12 Gemini spacecraft and the Voyager probes. They have worked largely in collaboration with NASA on many of their probes, landers, and spacecraft, and hope to play a key role in NASA's return to the moon in 2024.
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