[Satellite TODAY 06-17-10] NASA has awarded its Space Network ground segment sustainment project contract to General Dynamics C4 Systems, the agency announced June 16.
    The cost-plus-award fee, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract has a total potential value of approximately $642.2 million, including options. The period of performance is from June 21, 2010 through June 20, 2017.
    General Dynamics will modernize the ground segment to enable the Space Network to continue to delivering services, meet stakeholder requirements, and reduce required operations and maintenance resources. NASA’s tracking and data relay satellites comprise the space segment, which aims to provide resources for global space-to-ground telecommunications and tracking coverage for low Earth orbit and near-Earth robotic and human spaceflight missions.
    The work includes replacing obsolete systems, creating an expandable architecture, facilitating the integration of NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation networks, addressing customer requirements and advances in technology, and implementing new methods and capabilities for using the TDRS to support Space Network user spacecraft.