United Space Alliance

United Space Alliance (USA) is a spaceflight operations company. USA is a joint venture, equally owned by The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT). It was established in August 1995 as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas and employs roughly 8,800 people in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and the Washington, D.C. area.^[1] USA is led by President and Chief Executive Officer Richard O. Covey and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Daniel C. Brandenstein.

History

United Space Alliance was formed as a limited liability company as a joint venture between Rockwell International and Lockheed Martin in response to NASA's desire to consolidate many Space Shuttle program contracts to one prime contractor. USA and NASA signed the Space Flight Operations Contract in September 1996 to become the single prime contractor that NASA was seeking. USA supported the contract for 10 years through September 2006. This led to USA and NASA agreeing to the Space Program Operations Contract.

Current business

USA's major business is operation and processing of NASA's Space Shuttle fleet and International Space Station at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and John F. Kennedy Space Center. This work is currently defined by the Space Program Operations Contract (SPOC) between NASA and USA. The contract runs from October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2010, which is the end of Space Shuttle operations. The contract includes five one-year options that could extend the contract through Fiscal Year 2015. Efforts under the Space Program Operations Contract include work and support for mission design and planning; software development and integration; astronaut and flight controller training; system integration; flight operations; vehicle processing, launch and recovery; vehicle sustaining engineering; flight crew equipment processing; and Space Shuttle and International Space Station-related support to the Constellation Program. It is a cost reimbursement contract, with provisions for award and performance fees.^[2]

With NASA's transition from the Space Shuttle to the Constellation vehicles USA will provide support to the space program through smaller service and support contracts. One of these is the Integrated Mission Operations Contract (IMOC) to provide flight operations support for the Constellation Program and International Space Station Program in Houston through September 30 2011.^[3] Also, USA has signed a subcontract with Alliant Techsystems for support of the Ares I launch vehicle.^[4]

See also

Exploration Ground Launch Services Contract.

References

1. ^ United Space Alliance (2008-11-01). "UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE AWARDED IMOC CONTRACT". Press release. http://www.unitedspacealliance.com/news/press/2008/081031.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-03. 
2. ^ NASA (2006-10-02). "NASA Awards Space Program Operations Contract". Press release. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/oct/HQ_C06054_JSC_Space_Operations_Contract.html. Retrieved 2008-11-03. 
3. ^ NASA (2008-10-31). "NASA Awards Contract for Mission, Crew Operations Support". Press release. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/oct/HQ_C08-064_Mission_Ops.html. Retrieved 2008-11-03. United Space Alliance (2008-11-01). "UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE AWARDED IMOC CONTRACT". Press release. http://www.unitedspacealliance.com/news/press/2008/081031.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-03. 
4. ^ United Space Alliance (2008-10-16). "ATK and USA Announce Agreement on Ares I Subcontract Work". Press release. http://www.unitedspacealliance.com/news/press/2008/081016.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-03. 

External links

• United Space Alliance LLC.