Washington, DC Oct. 10, 1997 – Lockheed Martin space officials, buoyed by their first successful launch in the LMLV small launcher family, have decided to rename the rocket series Athena, after the Greek goddess of wisdom, intellect, invention, industry as well as skill. The city of Athens was named in her honor, and Lockmart's Dr. Ray Colladay, head of the company's Astronautics Division, said the choice was made "because her attributes match those demonstrated by our team" in creating the new booster family.
Legacy Reports
Lockmart renames LMLV family the Athena rockets
Washington, DC Oct. 10, 1997 - Lockheed Martin space officials, buoyed by their first successful launch in the LMLV small launcher family, have decided to rename the rocket series Athena, after the Greek goddess of wisdom, intellect, invention, industry as well as skill.