NASA Awards Contract for New Millennium Mission

November 23, 2005

Erica Hupp
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1237)

Natalie Godwin
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
(818) 354-0850)

CONTRACT RELEASE: C05-006

NASA AWARDS CONTRACT FOR NEW MILLENNIUM MISSION

The $27 million competitively awarded contract is between Orbital and
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif. JPL manages
New Millennium for NASA.

The Space Technology 8 satellite will validate four advanced
technologies in space for possible use in future NASA science
missions. The satellite consists of four payload experiments: a large
flexible solar array; a 40-meter deployable boom; a high radiation
environment electronics; and a spacecraft thermal control device.

The satellite is based on a lightweight, multi-role spacecraft similar
to others in orbit performing communications, Earth and space science
missions. It will weigh approximately 385 pounds. Orbital Sciences
also will provide the mission's Pegasus launch vehicle under a
separate contract with NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The mission
is scheduled for launch in 2009. For information about the Space
Technology 8 Satellite on the Web, visit:

http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov



For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info