NASA Adds Orbital's Antares to Launch Services II Contract

[KSC News Center <ksc@mediaservices.nasa.gov>]

June 26, 2012

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck@nasa.gov

CONTRACT RELEASE: C12-027

NASA ADDS ORBITAL'S ANTARES TO LAUNCH SERVICES II CONTRACT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has modified its NASA Launch Services 
(NLS) II contract with Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., to add 
the Antares launch vehicle, formerly known as Taurus II, for future 
missions.

The NLS II on-ramp provision provides an opportunity annually for 
launch service providers not presently under the NLS II contract to 
compete for future missions, and allows launch service providers 
already under contract to introduce launch vehicles not currently on 
their NLS II contracts, such as Antares.

NLS II contracts are multiple award, 
indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with ordering 
periods through June 2020. The contracts provide for a minimum 
capability of delivering agency payloads weighing approximately 550 
pounds or more to a minimum 124-mile-high circular orbit with a 
launch inclination of 28.5 degrees. The launch service providers also 
may offer a range of vehicles to NASA to meet higher payload mass and 
orbit requirements.

These contracts support the goals and objectives of the agency's 
Science Mission Directorate, Human Exploration and Operations Mission 
Directorate, and Office of the Chief Technologist. Under the 
contract, NASA also can provide launch services to other government 
agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.

The Launch Services Program Office at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in 
Florida is responsible for program management.

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov  

	
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