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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