NASA has awarded a $27.5m contract modification to the European Space Agency’s Space Technology Center for additional engineering services for the International Space Station Node 2 and 3 modules.
The modification extends the existing contract to reflect adjustments made to the station’s assembly manifest and to meet increased contract requirements up to June 30, 2011.
The two-year extension increases the value of the original $22m contract to $49.5m.
Alcatel Alenia Space Italia, Torino, Italy, is building the modules. Node 2, a utility hub also known as the Harmony module, is scheduled for delivery to the space station on October 23 for the STS-120 mission. It will serve as a passageway between the US Destiny Laboratory, the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module and the European Columbus Laboratory.
Node 3 is still under development.
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