[8-27-07 – Satellite Today] Spacehab Inc.‘s Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary received a contract to provide payload processing services for NASA‘s Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 mission, Spacehab announced Aug. 27.

This is the first task order for Spacehab under a $35 million contract NASA awarded the company in June to provide payload processing services for expendable launch vehicles that will be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 mission is scheduled mid 2008. The next-generation ocean altimetry mission will measure sea surface height to help scientists better understand ocean circulation and its effect on global climate.