Lockheed Martin, on Thursday, has revealed that it is one of the companies, competing for a contract to fly cargo to the International Space Station for NASA.

The proposal is not part of Lockheed's ongoing partnership, including arrangements through United Launch Alliance, the joint-venture it operates with Boeing, to provide Atlas 5 rockets and launch services to two other bidders.

Alike competitors Boeing and Sierra Nevada Corp., Lockheed would also use an Atlas 5 rocket to fly its cargo ship. It would include a reusable canister-like tug called Jupiter and a cargo carrier called Exoliner.

Initially, Jupiter and Exoliner would fly together aboard an Atlas 5 rocket and dock at the space station. At the end of the mission, the duo would undock, but could remain in orbit for additional missions, such as deploying small satellites.

In the beginning of the mission, Jupiter and Exoliner would fly together aboard an Atlas 5 rocket and dock at the space station, but later on, towards the end of the mission, the duo would undock, but could stay in orbit for additional missions, including deploying small satellites.

Then, Exoliners would launch solo and will be captured in orbit by the Jupiter tug and old Exoliner. Following which, Jupiter that would be outfitted with a small robotic arm will exchange the cargo ships and will ferry the fresh load of supplies to the station.

Later, with the help of the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas 5 launcher, the old Exoliner would deorbit and incinerate in the atmosphere.

Jupiter will be refueled and serviced in the orbit, which will save money on electronics and other systems. It is based on the spacecraft that was designed for NASA's ongoing MAVEN mission at Mars.

Other than shipping additional fuel for Jupiter, Exoliner could take around 1,500 kilograms of unpressurized cargo and up to 5,000 kilograms of pressurized cargo to the station.

According to Lockheed, its spaceship could also improve and support the future deep-space exploration expeditions.