Orbital Sciences president, COO resigns

James Thompson resigns at Orbital Sciences Corp. after 20 years at the company.

After nearly 20 years of service, Orbital Sciences Corp. President and COO James Thompson will resign, reports the Washington Business Journal.

Chairman and CEO David Thompson will take over as president of the company, which manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers, including the Defense Department and NASA.

Although he is stepping down as president, James Thompson will remain on the company's board and serve as a senior executive adviser. He also will oversee the Taurus II launch vehicle program, according to the weekly newspaper.

There was no word on filling the COO post or Thompson's departure date.