WASHINGTON, March 23, 2015 — (PRNewswire) — NASA has awarded a delivery order under the Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition III (Rapid III) contract to Orbital ATK (formerly Orbital Sciences Corporation) of Dulles, Virginia, for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)-2 spacecraft.

The JPSS-2 spacecraft will provide operational continuity of satellite-based observations to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide critical weather forecasts, while advancing climate, environmental and oceanographic science. This is a firm fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity delivery order for the purchase of the JPSS-2 spacecraft with options to purchase the JPSS-3 and JPSS-4 spacecraft.

The JPSS missions continue to leverage the successful 40-year NOAA/NASA partnership.  NASA is the acquisition agent for the flight systems, launch services and components of the ground system.

The value of the JPSS-2 portion is $253 million with a period of performance from March 30 through July 31, 2020. The value of Option One for the JPSS-3 spacecraft is $130 million and will extend the period of performance through July 31, 2024. The value of Option Two for the JPSS-4 spacecraft is $87 million and will extend the period of performance through July 31, 2028. If all options are exercised, the total value of this delivery order will be $470 million.

These options, as part of full funding of the Polar Follow-on activities outlined in NOAA's fiscal year 2016 President's Budget Request, would allow the JPSS program to extend operations of the overall JPSS polar-orbiting satellite system as far as fiscal year 2038.

Orbital will be responsible for designing and fabricating the JPSS-2 spacecraft, integration of government-furnished instruments, satellite-level testing, on-orbit satellite check-out and mission operations support. The contractor also will provide five Flight Segment Emulators. The work will be performed at the contractor's facility and at the launch site.

This contract provides a rapid and flexible means to procure spacecraft in support of the scientific and technology development goals of NASA and other federal government agencies.

NASA's expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as weather forecasting and natural resource management. NASA uses the vantage point of space to increase our understanding of our home planet, improve lives, and safeguard our future.

For information about the JPSS program, visit:

http://www.jpss.noaa.gov  

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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SOURCE NASA

Contact:

NASA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Steve Cole, Headquarters, Washington, 202-358-0918 Email Contact John Leslie, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, Md., 301-713-0214 Email Contact Web: http://www.nasa.gov