Air Force awards space operations support deal

The Air Force Space and Missile System Center has awarded QinetiQ North America a contract to provide technical support for space operations.

The $250 million contract covers services such as systems engineering, test and evaluation, software engineering, spectrum management, modeling and simulation, system safety and acquisition security, the company said in a statement.

Other work will include integration logistics support and concept development. Systems QinetiQ will support include multispectral surveillance satellites, infrared surveillance satellites, the Next Generation Space Navigation System, launch range systems, satellite control networks and unprotected satellite communications. Support of ground stations, launch vehicles and weather satellite systems is included in the contract.