NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena,
Calif., has awarded ITT Industries of White Plains, N.Y., a
five-year $274 million subcontract for operations and
maintenance of NASA’s Deep Space Network facilities in the
United States and for support of overseas facilities.
The contract includes incentive provisions that can extend
the contract for an additional five years, increasing the
contract value by an additional $306 million.
The Deep Space Network, managed by JPL, is an international
network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft
missions. The network also supports selected Earth-orbiting
missions.
“The Deep Space Network is a critical element in achieving
NASA’s mission. We welcome ITT as the newest member of the
NASA community,” said Gene Tattini, JPL deputy director.
ITT Industries will provide all necessary maintenance,
operations and engineering support to operate and maintain
JPL’s Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, located
near Barstow, Calif.; accomplish Deep Space Network
operations and maintenance; support problem analysis and
resolution; support network engineering efforts; and support
radar and radio astronomy activities.
ITT will also support operations at the Deep Space Network
facilities located in Madrid, Spain and Canberra, Australia.
ITT’s Systems Division, located in Colorado Springs, Colo.,
will perform the contract work. The contract start is
October 1, 2003 for transition planning, full responsibility
for operations will be picked up on the new contract on
January 1, 2004.
JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in
Pasadena, manages the Deep Space Network for NASA.
