Orbital Sciences Corporation is an industry-leading provider of suborbital launch vehicles for the nation's missile defense systems, conducting nearly 50 major launches for the U.S. Missile Agency (MDA), the Air Force, the Army and the Navy. Hi-Shear products are used on two key Orbital programs. Both Pegasus, a space launch vehicle, and GMD (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) utilize Hi-Shear pyro-cartridges, which activate Hi-Shear's hot gas generator on each launch vehicle.