USA Receives $165 Million Contract Extension

United Space Alliance (USA) has received a one-year, $165 million contract extension from NASA’s Johnson Space Center for support of mission and flight crew operations following the retirement of the shuttle. The extension — to Sept. 30, 2012, from Oct. 1, 2011 — includes ground-based training and support for the International Space Station and other human spaceflight activities. Announced late Nov. 22, the extension brings the total value of the original Integrated Mission Operations Contract to $373 million. The initial award period runs from Nov. 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2011. The support provided by Houston-based USA includes mission planning and preparation, and crew and flight controller training, as well as real-time mission activities. Funds Not Appropriated NASA’s final scheduled shuttle mission, STS-134, is tentatively scheduled to lift off aboard Endeavour on Feb. 27, 2011. However, the 2010 NASA Authorization Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Oct. 11, provides for an additional flight, STS-135, using Atlantis. STS-135 is tentatively slated for mid-2011, although funds for the supply mission to the space station have yet to be appropriated.