Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has been awarded a study contract for a joint lunar orbiter mission that may be conducted by the United States and the United Kingdom, SSTL announced Aug. 13. The contract between SSTL and Mississippi State University follows the signing of a joint statement of intent between NASA and the British National Space Centre.

This first phase of the contract for the Magnolia mission will run for nine months, culminating in a preliminary mission design. The contract includes small satellite training for Mississippi State and NASA Stennis Space Center staff.

The next phase of the Magnolia mission is planned to start in 2008 and could lead to the launch of the mission in 2010.