NASA awards innovative research contract

WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency has awarded a contract to the L3 Communications Corp. to provide simulation and software technology support.

The $49 million contract calls for the Niceville, Fla., corporation to supply support to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Johnson Space Center in the fields of virtual reality for training and simulation activities; simulation environments, analysis and applications; systems engineering and vehicle subsystem management; and guidance, navigation and control simulation.

The contract supports the development and operations of the space shuttle, International Space Station and Constellation programs, NASA said.

The performance period for the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract begins May 1 and will be completed on April 30, 2013.