NASA Space Network to Begin New Design Phase For Ground Segment

The Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment effort successfully completed its Key Decision Point - B review at NASA allowing the project to proceed into Phase B of its lifecycle, the Mission Definition Phase. During this next phase, lasting approximately eight months, the network will hold its Preliminary Design Review and complete additional project planning.

Approval to move forward was granted during a recent Agency Project Management Council meeting at NASA Headquarters, Washington, chaired by William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD).

"Completing Key Decision Point - B (KDP-B) is a major achievement and reflects the fact that we have a very capable team in place," said Roger Clason, Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment (SGSS) Project Manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.. "It was gratifying to see, at all levels of management, recognition of SGSS's importance to the future of NASA's space communications capabilities."

NASA Awards Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment Contract

NASA has awarded the Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment project contract to General Dynamics C4 Systems of Scottsdale, Ariz. The cost-plus-award fee, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract has a total potential value of approximately $642.2 million, including options. The period of performance is from June 21, 2010 through June 20, 2017.

The Space Network Ground Segment is part of NASA's Space Network. The agency's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) comprise the space segment. The network provides the resources for global space-to-ground telecommunications and tracking coverage for low Earth orbit and near-Earth robotic and human spaceflight missions.

The Space Network Ground Segment includes facilities and systems located at the White Sands Complex at Las Cruces, N.M., Guam Remote Ground Terminal at Guam, and the Space Network Expansion East at Blossom Point, Md. Under the Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment contract, General Dynamics will modernize the ground segment to enable the Space Network to continue to deliver high quality services, meet stakeholder requirements, and significantly reduce required operations and maintenance resources.