MMS Observatory 1 (bottom) and 2 (top) are shown here in their “mini-stack” configuration for shock testing.
Image credit: NASA

[Via Satellite 09-10-13] NASA has awarded Astrotech Corporation’s Astrotech Space Operations (ASO) subsidiary, a provider of commercial space services, a contract to provide facilities and pre-launch processing services for the Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission to launch in late 2014.

Comprised of four identical satellites, MMS is the first mission awarded under the previously announced $9.1 million NASA Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Astrotech Space Operations-Florida.

“MMS will provide scientists with an opportunity to observe the Earth’s magnetosphere in three dimensions,” stated ASO general manager Don M. White Jr. “Astrotech is excited to be part of this mission to learn more about space weather and its effects on our planet.”

ASO Florida has provided payload processing for NASA satellites such as RBSP, Juno, SDO, LRO/LCROSS, GRAIL and TDRS K. TDRS L will arrive for processing later this year.