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, Colo., as part of the Space Systems Company.

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.

President Bush and NASA have articulated a vision for robotic and human exploration of space, 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. "John Karas' broad experience in developing and managing space exploration and space transportation systems within cost and on schedule has prepared him extremely well to coordinate and manage this effort."

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.

Karas earned a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has taken advanced course work toward a master's degree in Engineering and a master's degree in Business Administration.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered near Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems Company designs, develops, tests and manufactures a variety of advanced technology systems for space and defense. 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.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.