Dec 12 2011
From The Space Library
NASA Extends Mission Operations Support Contract
HOUSTON - NASA has awarded a $165 million contract extension to Lockheed Martin Corp. of Gaithersburg, Md., to provide continued mission control systems services, development, maintenance and operations support as part of the Facilities Development and Operations Contract, or FDOC.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin provides support for the hardware, software, data and displays systems used to train for and execute all human spaceflight missions supported by the Mission Operations Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The contract provides systems services support within the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center and the Jake Garn Mission Simulator and Training Facility at Johnson, and at backup control centers.
The majority of the work will take place at or near Johnson. Significant subcontractors include Cimarron Software Services Inc. and United Space Alliance, both of Houston.
This extension exercises the first of two potential options for the contract. The $755 million contract base period is from Jan. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2012. This option will extend the contract through Sept. 30, 2013, and increase the total contract value to $919.5 million.
NASA Engages Public With New Custom Internet Radio Station
WASHINGTON -- NASA's mission of discovery and exploration will be showcased in a custom-produced Internet music radio station that is crafted specifically to speak the language of tech-savvy young adults.
Third Rock - America's Space Station is set to launch with a New Rock/Indie/Alternative format on Monday, Dec. 12. The station is being developed and operated at no cost to the government through a Space Act Agreement. Third Rock can be reached from NASA's home page, www.nasa.gov, and will soon be available through NASA iPhone and Droid mobile applications.
"NASA constantly is looking for new and innovative ways to engage the public and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers," said David Weaver, associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "We have led the way in innovative uses of new media and this is another example of how the agency is taking advantage of these important communication tools."
NASA is collaborating with Houston-based RFC Media to launch the station.
"Today's 4G audience craves new music and enjoys finding it," said Pat Fant, RFC Media co-founder and chief operating officer. "We've pulled out the best songs and the deepest tracks from a full spectrum of rock artists across many styles and decades. NASA features and news items are embedded throughout the programming alongside greetings by celebrity artists."
Third Rock also will help partner companies fill high-tech job openings in the engineering, science and IT fields. In addition to the NASA Web Portal, the station will be available online in the future at the radio tab of Apple's iTunes and other sites.
"No one knows more about discovering new rock than NASA," said Cruze, RFC Media co-founder and president. "Exciting new music is being discovered online through specialty sites like Third Rock-America's Space Station, where listeners will hear about great new artists way before their friends hear of them."
