July 16, 2012

George H Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 george h diller@nasa gov

Joshua Buck Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 jbuck@nasa gov

CONTRACT RELEASE: C12-028

NASA SELECTS LAUNCH SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THREE MISSIONS

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla -- NASA has selected United Launch Services LLC of Englewood, Colo , to launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2), Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) spacecraft The spacecraft will launch in July 2014, October 2014 and November 2016, respectively, aboard Delta II rockets from Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California

The total value for the OCO-2, SMAP and JPSS-1 launch services is approximately $412 million This estimated cost includes the task-ordered launch service for the Delta II plus additional services under other contracts for payload processing, launch vehicle integration, mission-unique launch site ground support and tracking, data and telemetry services

OCO-2 will study and make time-dependent global measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide It will provide the first complete picture of human and natural carbon dioxide sources and "sinks," the places where the gas is pulled out of the atmosphere and stored The observatory's high-resolution measurements will help scientists better understand the processes that regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide The OCO-2 project is managed by JPL

SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze-thaw state These measurements will enhance understanding of processes that link Earth's water, energy and carbon cycles SMAP will extend current capabilities in weather and climate prediction

SMAP data will be used to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities SMAP is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif

JPSS-1 is the successor to the Suomi-National Polar Partnership (NPP) spacecraft, which was launched in October 2011 as a joint mission between NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and operated by the JPSS Program The JPSS Program is the former National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Program The JPSS system includes the satellite's sensors and ground system supporting civil weather, climate measurements and data sharing with other U S agencies and international partners

JPSS-1 will make afternoon observations as it orbits Earth, providing continuity of critical data and imagery observations for accurate weather forecasting, reliable severe storm outlooks and global measurements of atmospheric and oceanic conditions such as sea surface temperatures and ozone JPSS-1 will increase the timeliness, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of public warnings and forecasts of weather, climate and other environmental events, reducing the potential loss of human life and property

NOAA is responsible for the JPSS Program and the JPSS-1 mission NASA is the program's procurement agent The agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md , is the lead for acquisition and implementation

NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is responsible for launch vehicle program management of the OCO-2, SMAP and JPSS-1 launch services

For more information about NASA and its missions, visit:

http://www nasa gov

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