Researchers from around the nation joined with representatives of Lockheed Martin Space Operations’ Consolidated Space
Operations Contract (CSOC) for the first CSOC Science Working Group meeting. The Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a subcontractor on
CSOC, assembled the team of renowned scientists and engineers and facilitated the two-day meeting held at USRA’s Center for Advanced Space Studies.

The CSOC Science Working Group, consisting of 15 researchers representing a cross section of space science disciplines, will provide an open forum to
examine, evaluate, guide, and make recommendations on the operational data and communication requirements of the science community to the CSOC team.
Presentations at this first meeting included an overview of the Consolidated Space Operations Contract responsibilities, an explanation of Customer Service
processes, an overview of the new Services Catalog, and advanced technology and commercialization initiatives.

Addressing the group, Dr. Doug Tighe, Vice President and CSOC Program Manager said, “We will continue with our strong commitment to the end-user while
meeting our goals of reliable operations support, and safe performance while achieving lower operating costs.”

These cost savings will be realized, in part, through the development of the Integrated Operations Architecture (IOA). The IOA is a reengineered approach to
delivering space operations services, including space-to-ground interfaces with an emphasis on commercial practices and technology.

“Including discussions with the user community through the CSOC Science Working Group early in the process, will help ensure success in building an
architecture that will achieve the goals that we all share,” said Dr. Rich Schell, Director, CSOC Systems Engineering and Integration.

Dr. G. David Emmitt of Simpson Weather Associates was chosen by his peers as Chairman of the Science Working Group and comments, “The group provides
a standing forum for the review of CSOC within the NASA/Space Operations Management Office framework, from the perspective of data producers, managers,
and users. The regularly scheduled exchanges between the system developers and their potential customers should greatly enhance the likelihood that the data
management needs of NASA’s earth and space sciences communities will be met in a most cost effective manner.”

The CSOC Science Working Group will meet three times annually at various locations with the next meeting scheduled for February 15-16, 2000 at USRA’s
Center for Advanced Space Studies in Houston, Texas.

Lockheed Martin Space Operations, a business unit of Lockheed Martin Technology Services, headquartered in Cherry Hill, New Jersey is a high-tech
engineering and science services firm employing more than 4,500 engineers, scientists and support personnel. Their services include managing the Consolidated
Space Operations Contract; software engineering and hardware development for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station; mission and payload
operations and integration; and human life sciences research.