NASA awards ISS contract extension

WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency has given the Ares Corp. a $26 million, one-year contract extension for development and operation of the International Space Station.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said the Houston company has held the station's program integration and control contract since January 2004. The one-year extension brings the total value of the contract to $151.8 million. The extension, which begins Oct. 1, is the first of two such options provided by the original contract.

NASA said ARES provides integrated vehicle performance and risk management, configuration and schedule management, information technology management, resource analysis and cost estimating services.

Major subcontractors include Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Barrios Technology in Houston.