NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif., has awarded ITT Industries of White Plains, N.Y., a five-year $274 million subcontract for operations and maintenance of NASA's Deep Space Network facilities in the United States and for support of overseas facilities.

The contract includes incentive provisions that can extend the contract for an additional five years, increasing the contract value by an additional $306 million.

The Deep Space Network, managed by JPL, is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions. The network also supports selected Earth-orbiting missions.

"The Deep Space Network is a critical element in achieving NASA's mission. We welcome ITT as the newest member of the NASA community," said Gene Tattini, JPL deputy director.

ITT Industries will provide all necessary maintenance, operations and engineering support to operate and maintain JPL's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, located near Barstow, Calif.; accomplish Deep Space Network operations and maintenance; support problem analysis and resolution; support network engineering efforts; and support radar and radio astronomy activities.

ITT will also support operations at the Deep Space Network facilities located in Madrid, Spain and Canberra, Australia.

ITT's Systems Division, located in Colorado Springs, Colo., will perform the contract work. The contract start is October 1, 2003 for transition planning, full responsibility for operations will be picked up on the new contract on January 1, 2004.

JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Deep Space Network for NASA.