AeroAstro Selected for DoD Space Test Program Standard Interface Vehicle Contract.

ASHBURN, Va. -- AeroAstro, Inc., a leading provider of small satellites and related technology products, today announced they will design and build the spacecraft bus and provide integration, launch and mission operations support under a six-year contract with Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. The Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp./AeroAstro team recently was awarded the DoD Space Test Program Standard Interface Vehicle (STP-SIV) contract, which has a potential contract value of $110 million.

"This award, combined with our role as prime contractor for STPSat-1, reaffirms AeroAstro's position as a pre-eminent ESPA-class microsatellite manufacturer. We look forward to continuing our ongoing relationship with the Space Test Program, and to working with Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. on STP-SIV, which will simplify and accelerate access to space for critical new technologies," said Pat Davis, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Space, AeroAstro.

The Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract supports procurement of up to six small satellites to fly future space experiments. The initial award calls for one spacecraft with a standard payload interface, integration and testing of one or more experiments onto the vehicle, launch integration, and technical support for at least one year of mission operations. The spacecraft will be designed to fly in low earth orbit at a wide range of inclinations with a minimum one-year lifetime.

The proposed STP-SIV spacecraft bus is derived largely from AeroAstro's STPSat-1 space vehicle, which is manifested on the first ESPA launch later this year. The innovative design includes a separable Payload Standard Interface Module that may be integrated in parallel with the bus to support accelerated launch schedules and reduce technical risk.

AeroAstro, Inc. is a leader in innovative micro- and nanosatellite systems, components, and advanced communications technologies. Complete microspace systems and services include mission studies, technical training, systems engineering, electronics, orbit transfer services, ground stations, and space communications.