Harris to support AF satellite control network

Harris Corp. will provide operations and maintenance support to the Air Force 50th Space Wing's satellite control network under a new 6 ½-year contract that could be worth as much as $410 million.

The contract is for the Air Force's Network and Space Operations and Maintenance program.

The 50th Space Wing's Air Force Satellite Control Network is a global, continuously operational network of ground stations, operational control nodes and communications links that support launch and command-and-control of various space programs.

The programs are managed by the Defense Department and other national-security space organizations. It is responsible for readiness, launch, early orbit/on-orbit support and anomaly resolution for a variety of military satellite constellations.

The Harris IT Services-led team includes Lockheed Martin Information Technology, L-3 Communications Titan Group, Faith Enterprises, ASRC Aerospace, Arctic Slope World Services, Nortel Government Solutions and Gunther Douglas.

Harris was awarded the original Operational Space Services and Support program in 2000. Under the OSSS contract, Harris provided operations, maintenance and support services to the Air Force Satellite Control Network and Global Positioning System ground networks.

Harris of Melbourne, Fla., ranks No. 21 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.