SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 16, 2003

ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-14279	06-1209561
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

21839 Atlantic Boulevard, Dulles, Virginia 20166

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (703) 406-5000

Item 12.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     On October 16, 2003, Orbital Sciences Corporation announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003. A copy of the company’s press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

     The information contained in this report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor incorporated by reference in any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION

(Registrant)

Date: October 16, 2003	By:	/s/ Garrett E. Pierce
		Garrett E. Pierce
		Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Orbital Sciences Corporation Earnings Press Release dated October 16, 2003.