Contract: Lockheed, $38.4M

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. Sunnyvale, Calif., has been awarded a $38,378,116 modification (P00645) to the cost-plus-incentive-fee contract F04701-02-C-0002 for Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) System Interim Contractor Sustainment Re-vector under cost line item number 0610. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $8,752,571,223. The contract modification is for critical software development for Mission Planning Development for initial operational capability in 2015. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale and El Segundo, Calif., and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. Space and Missile Systems Center/PKJ, AEHF, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/30/14) Gulf Coast note: Lockheed does core propulsion system work for AEHR at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Orion chuts hit no snags

Orion parachutes tested. NASA photo

NASA completed the most complex and flight-like test of the parachute system for the agency's Orion spacecraft on Wednesday. A test version of Orion touched down safely in the Arizona desert after being pulled out of a C-17 aircraft, 35,000 feet above the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground. It was the first time some parachutes in the system had been tested at such a high altitude. The test also marked the last time the entire parachute sequence will be tested before Orion launches into space in December on its first space flight test, EFT-1. During the flight, an uncrewed Orion launched by an Atlas V will travel 3,600 miles into space, farther than any spacecraft built to carry humans has been in more than 40 years. (Source: NASA, 06/25/14) The Orion for EFT-1 was built at Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans. Stennis Space Center, Miss., is testing the engines that will be used in NASA's Space Launch System that will be used for future Orion launches.

Contract: Lockheed, $1.8B

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., has been awarded a $1,863,474,312 modification (P00001) to previously awarded contract (FA8810-13-C-0001) for Space-Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) 5 and 6 satellites, including performance incentives and options for acoustic testing and launch operations. This contract modification will complete the production of the SBIRS GEO 5/6 satellites, which was started with the procurement of long lead parts, and also complete the associated ground operations and processing updates. The contract modification also includes adding options for acoustic testing, launch vehicle integration, launch and early on-orbit testing, and contractor operations support. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2022. Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base/El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/24/14) Work on the SBIRS core propulsion system is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Change of command held

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Rear Adm. Timothy C. Gallaudet relieved Rear Adm. Brian B. Brown as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) in a traditional change of command ceremony Wednesday at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Gallaudet was promoted to the rank of rear admiral (lower half) just prior to the ceremony. (Source: NNS, 06/19/14)

NASA to show Orion progress

With six months until its first trip to space, NASA's Orion spacecraft is taking shape at the agency's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The media has been invited to a status update on Orion and to see the spacecraft Wednesday. Technicians began attaching the crew module on top of the completed service module on Monday. This is the first step in moving the three primary Orion elements, the crew module, service module and launch abort system, into the correct configuration for launch. This is all part of NASA's Space Launch System program, designed to carry astronauts deeper in space than ever before. Orion was built at Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, and rocket engines for the SLS program are tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. But Orion on this first flight will be lifted atop a Delta IV, which is powered by RS-68 engines tested at SSC. (Source: GCAC, 06/17/14, NASA release)

Command getting new leader

Capt. Timothy C. Gallaudet, selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Stennis Space Center, Miss. Gallaudet is currently serving as executive assistant to Oceanographer/Navigator of the Navy, N2/N6E, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. (Source: DoD, 06/02/14)