Lockheed Martin Space
LMTLockheed Martin Space is a business segment of Lockheed Martin Corporation, one of the world's largest defense and aerospace companies.
- Founded
- 1995
- Headquarters
- Littleton, United States
- Ownership
- Subsidiary of Lockheed Martin
- Parent market cap
- $121.0B-13.6% 30d
- Employees
- 23,000as of 2025
Quick Facts
About Lockheed Martin Space
Lockheed Martin Space is a business segment of Lockheed Martin Corporation, one of the world's largest defense and aerospace companies. The Space segment develops and manufactures satellites, spacecraft, launch vehicle components, and space exploration systems from its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. As a prime contractor for major NASA and Department of Defense programs, Lockheed Martin Space shapes the future of space exploration and national security.
Lockheed Martin Space employs approximately 18,000 people and generates annual revenue exceeding $12 billion. The segment operates facilities across the United States, with major centers in Colorado, California, and Alabama. Under Executive Vice President Robert Lightfoot, Lockheed Martin Space delivers systems from Earth orbit to deep space exploration.
History and Milestones
Lockheed Martin formed in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, combining extensive space heritage from both companies. Martin Marietta built the Viking Mars landers in the 1970s and Titan launch vehicles, while Lockheed developed military satellites and the Hubble Space Telescope.
The company has built spacecraft for every planet in the solar system. Major NASA programs include the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) orbiter, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Juno at Jupiter, and the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission, which returned samples from asteroid Bennu in 2023.
Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for NASA's Orion spacecraft, the crew vehicle for the Artemis lunar program. Orion completed its first deep space mission during Artemis I in 2022, circling the Moon and returning safely to Earth.
Products and Services
Lockheed Martin develops the Orion crew capsule and European Service Module integration for NASA's Artemis program. The company also builds GPS III satellites providing enhanced navigation for military and civilian users, continuing decades of GPS satellite development.
The company manufactures advanced military satellites including missile warning, communications, and reconnaissance systems for the U.S. Space Force. Programs include the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites, and classified programs.
Lockheed Martin produces the Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade (SRMU) and other components for various launch vehicles. The company's Fleet Ballistic Missile program provides strategic deterrence capabilities, while advanced technology development spans hypersonics, directed energy, and autonomous systems.
Technology and Capabilities
Lockheed Martin operates extensive spacecraft development and testing facilities. The Denver campus includes clean rooms for satellite assembly, thermal vacuum chambers, and acoustic test facilities. The company maintains specialized manufacturing for complex space systems.
The company invests heavily in research and development, operating Skunk Works advanced development programs and Lockheed Martin Ventures for technology investments. Space technology focus areas include advanced propulsion, space domain awareness, and in-space logistics.
Lockheed Martin leads the Orion industry team and participates in Human Landing System development through partnerships. The company also advances lunar surface systems, space habitat technologies, and orbital infrastructure concepts.
Business and Financial Overview
Lockheed Martin trades on NYSE under LMT with a market capitalization exceeding $100 billion. The Space segment generated approximately $12.3 billion in 2023 revenue, with substantial backlog from multi-year government contracts. Space represents the smallest of four business segments by revenue but maintains strategic importance.
Major contracts include the Orion spacecraft production, GPS III satellites, missile warning systems, and various classified programs. The company competes for NASA exploration contracts, DOD space systems, and international satellite programs.
Lockheed Martin invests in technology through internal R&D, venture investments, and university partnerships. The company has acquired space technology companies and formed strategic partnerships to expand capabilities.
Recent Developments
In 2024, Lockheed Martin continued Orion production for Artemis II and subsequent missions while advancing GPS IIIF satellite development. The company won awards for next-generation missile warning satellites and continued classified program execution.
The company advanced lunar surface systems development and participated in commercial space station studies for the post-ISS era. Lockheed Martin also expanded international space business and technology partnerships.
Development continued on advanced propulsion systems, space domain awareness capabilities, and autonomous spacecraft technologies. The company invested in manufacturing modernization and digital engineering transformation.
Market Position
Lockheed Martin ranks as the largest U.S. defense contractor and a top-tier space systems provider. The company competes primarily with Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Raytheon for government space programs, with emerging competition from SpaceX in certain segments.
Competitive advantages include extensive government customer relationships, prime contractor experience on major programs, and comprehensive systems integration capabilities. The company's Orion leadership positions it for lunar and deep space exploration.
Strategic priorities include Artemis program execution, next-generation military satellites, space domain awareness, and international growth. Lockheed Martin invests in commercial space ventures while maintaining core government business.
Products and product lines
| Product | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Orion | Crew spacecraft | NASA's Artemis crew capsule; flew its first crewed deep-space mission on Artemis II, launching 1 April 2026 and splashing down 10 April 2026. |
| GPS III / GPS IIIF | Navigation satellite | Global Positioning System satellites for the U.S. Space Force built under a Lockheed Martin manufacturing contract worth up to $7.2 billion; the first GPS IIIF satellite is not expected to launch before 2027. |
| Next-Gen OPIR (GEO) | Missile-warning satellite | Geosynchronous missile-warning satellites replacing the SBIRS constellation; the Space Force halted production of a third GEO satellite in 2024, and the first (NGG-1) was awaiting launch on Vulcan Centaur as of 2026. |
| SDA Tranche 3 Tracking Layer satellites | Missile-tracking satellite | 18 missile-warning/tracking satellites under a $1.1 billion Space Development Agency contract awarded 19 December 2025. |
| Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) | Ground-based missile interceptor | Missile Defense Agency homeland-defense interceptor developed under the Golden Dome initiative; Lockheed Martin opened a new production facility in Courtland, Alabama in June 2026 and completed a Stage 2 motor static-fire test in August 2026. |
| Golden Dome Orbital Carriers | Space-based missile defense | Three demonstration spacecraft for space-based missile defense, being built for Lockheed Martin by Gravitics under the Pentagon's Golden Dome program, announced August 2026. |
Timeline
- 2025 The Space Development Agency awards Lockheed Martin $1.1 billion on 19 December to build 18 Tranche 3 Tracking Layer missile-warning/tracking satellites. [source]
- 2026 Orion, built by Lockheed Martin, carries four astronauts on the Artemis II lunar flyby, launching 1 April and splashing down 10 April 2026 — the first crewed deep-space mission since Apollo 17. [source]
- 2026 The U.S. Space Force awards Other Transaction Authority agreements worth up to $3.2 billion combined to 12 companies, including Lockheed Martin, to develop Golden Dome space-based interceptor prototypes, reported 24 April. [source]
- 2026 Lockheed Martin opens an 88,000-square-foot Next Generation Interceptor missile assembly building (MAB-5) in Courtland, Alabama, on 1 June, to produce homeland-defense interceptors under the Golden Dome initiative. [source]
- 2026 Lockheed Martin announces a successful high-vacuum static-fire test of the Next Generation Interceptor's Stage 2 motor, built by L3Harris/Aerojet Rocketdyne, on 10 August — a milestone toward Critical Design Review ahead of a 2030 fielding target. [source]
- 2026 Gravitics is selected by Lockheed Martin to build three 'Orbital Carrier' spacecraft demonstrating space-based missile defense technology under the Pentagon's Golden Dome program, reported 31 August. [source]
Team
- James D. TaicletChairman, President and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation · source
Signals
- Market cap, 90 days
- -3.0%
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-09
Categories & Capabilities
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Stock Performance
LMT · Daily close data
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Frequently asked about Lockheed Martin Space
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Lockheed Martin Space founded?
- Lockheed Martin Space was founded in 1995 in United States.
- Where is Lockheed Martin Space headquartered?
- Lockheed Martin Space is headquartered in Littleton, United States.
- What does Lockheed Martin Space do?
- Lockheed Martin Space is a business segment of Lockheed Martin Corporation, one of the world's largest defense and aerospace companies. The Space segment develops and manufactures satellites, spacecraft, launch vehicle components, and space exploration systems from its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. As a prime contr…
- Is Lockheed Martin Space publicly traded?
- No. Lockheed Martin Space is part of Lockheed Martin Corporation, which trades under LMT. There is no separate listing for the division itself.
- What sector does Lockheed Martin Space operate in?
- Lockheed Martin Space works in satellite manufacturing, Defense and Human spaceflight.
Sources
The structured fields on this page (founding year, location, sector, status, listing) and the profile text are drawn from the sources below. How profiles are drafted and checked is described in our methodology.
- Official website (www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/space.html)
- Market data via Yahoo Finance (LMT) · retrieved 2026-09-14
- SEC 10-K · retrieved 2026-09-04
- Wikidata / Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-09-04
- Space Development Agency: SDA Makes Awards to Build 72 Tracking Layer Satellites for Tranche 3 (19 Dec 2025) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- NASA: Artemis II mission page (launch 1 Apr 2026, splashdown 10 Apr 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- SpaceNews: Space Force awards up to $3.2 billion for Golden Dome interceptor prototypes (24 Apr 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Lockheed Martin (via Yahoo Finance): Lockheed Martin Opens Next Generation Interceptor Facility in Courtland, Alabama (1 Jun 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Lockheed Martin (via Yahoo Finance): Lockheed Martin Announces Successful Static-Fire Test of Next Generation Interceptor's Stage 2 Motor (10 Aug 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- SpaceNews: Gravitics to build orbital carriers for space-based missile defense (31 Aug 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Lockheed Martin: Space business area overview (FY2024 sales $12.5B, 23,000+ employees) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Wikipedia: James Taiclet (CEO of Lockheed Martin since June 2020) · retrieved 2026-09-09
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Lockheed Martin Space is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.