04.16.

07

Kelly Humphries
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

Beth Dickey
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2087

Leslie Williams
Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif.
661-276-3893

RELEASE: H07-086

NASA BUYS ABORT TEST BOOSTERS FOR ORION FLIGHT TESTS

WASHINGTON - NASA has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Air
Force to support abort flight test requirements for the Orion
Project. The Air Force has contracted with Orbital Sciences Corp. of
Chandler, Ariz., to provide launch services for the flight tests.

The agreement with the Air Force's Space Development and Test Wing at
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., provides for abort test boosters that
will serve as launch vehicles for Orion ascent abort flight tests
that are set to occur from 2009 through 2011 at the White Sands
Missile Range in New Mexico. The first abort test is scheduled for
2008, but will not require a functional booster.

The tests will support certification of the Orion crew exploration

vehicle's launch abort system. The system includes a small escape
rocket designed to ensure the safety of the crew in the event of a
launch vehicle malfunction while on the launch pad or during ascent
to orbit. A total of six tests are planned, pending environmental
assessments. Two will simulate an abort from the launch pad and will
not require a booster. The rest will use abort test boosters and
simulate aborts at three stressing conditions along the Ares launch
vehicle trajectory.

The Orion Project Office, based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in

Houston, designated Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air
Force Base, Calif., as the lead NASA center for abort flight test
integration and operations, including procurement of the boosters.
The project is developing the Orion spacecraft as part of an effort by
NASA's Constellation Program to return humans to the moon and prepare
for future voyages to Mars and other destinations in our solar
system.

Through a competitive procurement, the Air Force has awarded a task

order for two abort test boosters with options for two others under
the existing Sounding Rockets Program 2. This indefinite-delivery,
indefinite-quantity contract task order is valued between $35 million
and $57 million. The four Sounding Rockets Program 2 contractors,
including the winner, Orbital Sciences of Dulles, Va., were allowed
to compete for the job of providing booster integration and launch
support services. The Air Force has conducted 16 launches in the past
11 years under the Sounding Rockets Program.

The agreement for abort flight test support benefits both NASA and the
Air Force. By making use of the experienced Air Force and contractor
team, NASA reduces development risk associated with design and
development of a new and unique launch vehicle for these tests. NASA
also achieves financial savings while meeting an aggressive Orion
test schedule. The Air Force benefits through reduced risk associated
with future Air Force small launches, increased opportunity for
service personnel to gain expertise, and a greater chance to share
technologies.

The 3rd Space Test Squadron, a unit of the Air Force's Space
Development and Test Wing, will manage abort test booster launch
support services and integration of decommissioned Peacekeeper-class
intercontinental ballistic missile assets. On a cost reimbursable
basis, the squadron will provide integration support, project
management support and related services.

The squadron regularly uses decommissioned Minuteman II and

Peacekeeper rocket motors for government research and development of
space launch and missile defense test target vehicles.

For information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/constellation

-end-