Orbinaut Pete
ISSU Project Manager
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Here's the related press releases.
NASA Awards Launch Services Contracts.
NASA has announced the awards for the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II Contract. The award will provide a broad range of launch services for NASA’s planetary, Earth-observing, exploration and scientific satellites.
NASA has the ability to order a maximum of 70 launch services missions with a maximum cumulative potential contract value of $15 billion. The NLS II contracts are multiple award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, spanning a 10-year period.
NASA selected four companies for awards: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company of Denver; Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Va.; Space Exploration Technologies of Hawthorne, Calif.; and United Launch Services, LLC of Littleton, Colo.
The NLS contracts provide for a minimum capability of delivering agency payloads weighing approximately 550 pounds or more to a minimum 124-mile-high circular orbit with a launch inclination of 28.5 degrees. The launch service provider also may offer a range of vehicles to NASA to meet higher payload weight and orbit requirements. In addition, there is an annual opportunity for additional providers and incumbents to submit proposals introducing launch services not available at the time of award, if they meet the minimum contract requirements.
The NLS II contracts support the goals and objectives of the agency's Science Mission Directorate, Space Operations Mission Directorate and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Under the contract, NASA also will provide launch services to other government agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NASA's Launch Services Program Office at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is responsible for program management.
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Lockheed Martin and ATK Athena Launch Vehicles Selected as a NASA Launch Services Provider.
Athena to fill Critical Niche in Affordable Rockets for NASA Payloads.
NASA announced yesterday that the Lockheed Martin Corporation and Alliant Techsystems Athena Launch Vehicle Family has been selected to become part of the agency's Launch Services II contract.
Vehicles selected fulfill NASA's requirements for domestic launch services with a minimum performance capability of placing a 250-kilogram (550 pound) spacecraft in a 200-kilometer low Earth orbit (LEO) at an inclination of 28.5 degrees. Athena can carry payloads up to 1800 kilograms (3968 pounds) to LEO. Utilizing a large volume 92-inch diameter payload fairing, the vehicle accommodates a wide range of satellites and missions as well as lunar missions.
Under this contract the rockets could be launched from east and west coast launch sites, such as Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska.
"We are pleased to be able to make Athena available for important NASA missions," said John Karas, vice president and general manager, Human Space Flight, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Athena combines both companies' heritage and expertise in launch systems, and makes key system upgrades to provide enhanced product and performance capabilities to meet NASA's needs."
In March, Lockheed Martin and ATK announced a strategic teaming agreement to offer launch services utilizing upgraded and modernized Athena rockets. Lockheed Martin provides mission management, payload integration, and launch operations, while ATK provides integrated vehicle propulsion, launch vehicle structures, booster integration and launch site operations.
These second-generation launch vehicles include the two-stage Athena Ic and three-stage Athena IIc launch vehicles. The rockets use the same flight-proven ATK CASTOR 120® for Stage I and Stage II. The modernized launch vehicles benefit from the latest technology of a newly-developed and ground-tested CASTOR® 30 for their upper stage, and Lockheed Martin's modernized electronic systems. Both solid rocket motors are in production and are being used on other launch vehicles in the industry.
"As the newest addition to NASA's cadre of launch vehicles, Athena offers low-risk, reliable launch services at an affordable price," said Scott Lehr, vice president and general manager, Strategic and Commercial Systems, ATK Aerospace Systems.
First-generation Athena I and II rockets became operational in 1995 and have flown seven times. Athena II launched the Lunar Prospector to the moon in 1998 and remains the only commercially developed launch vehicle to fly a lunar mission.
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Space Politics:
- Augustine's "lukewarm endorsement" of Senate NASA bill, and more.
- Boeing, Space Adventures, and the commercial crew debate.
- What will the House vote on, and when?
- The ongoing "politically topsy-turvy battle" for NASA.
Space News: "NASA Sees Expanded Role on Euclid as Down Payment on Dark Energy Flagship".
Space News: "Editorial: Infinite Universe, Limited Budget".
SPACE.com: "Official: NASA Must Evolve Alongside Commercial Spaceflight".
Florida Today: "KSC helps launch job search".
Houston Chronicle's/Eric Berger's "SciGuy" Blog: "NASA budget: A small window for clarity now, or else the uncertainty will continue".
The Times of India: "This is no joyride".
NASA Watch: "Bolden and Middle East Outreach: Take II".
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