NASA extends Lockheed support contract

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HOUSTON, May 1 (UPI) -- NASA has exercised a $168 million contract option with Lockheed Martin for facilities development and operations.

Services under the one-year option will be performed at Johnson Space Center in Texas and covers support for hardware, software, data and display systems used in training and execution of human spaceflight missions supported by the Mission Operations Directorate.

"For more than 50 years, Lockheed Martin has provided mission operations support to NASA, which includes support for every space shuttle and International Space Station mission," said Rick Hieb, vice president of exploration and mission support for Lockheed Martin's Information Systems and Global Solutions.

"Lockheed Martin is currently working with NASA to update the Mission Control Center, training facilities and software applications for the next generation of human spaceflight including commercial space services and future exploration programs," the company added. "The update will reduce operations and maintenance costs and is expected to be completed in 2014."