Lockheed wins $667M NASA operations deal

Lockheed Martin Corp. will provide information technology support for NASA's spaceflight operations under a $667 million contract.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will furnish integrated support and services for the hardware, software, data and displays used to train individuals qualified and selected for spaceflight missions, company officials said.

Specifically, Lockheed Martin will provide systems support for NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston and backup control centers; ensure the reliability of software used for avionics, planning, simulators and flight control; and help develop a training facility for the Constellation Program.

The company will perform the work under the new Facilities Development and Operations Contract, which combines work previously conducted under two contracts, company and agency officials said in a statement. The new contract replaces the Mission Support Operations Contract and incorporates part of the work performed under the Space Program Operations Contract, they said.

The new contract will enable NASA to transfer its mission operation capabilities from the Space Shuttle program to the new Constellation Program. The company will perform the majority of the work at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

If all options are exercised to extend the contract through 2014, it potentially would be worth $977 million, company officials said.

Lockheed Martin ranks No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.