Swales Aerospace will work with NASA to develop a next-generation spacecraft that will make a long-anticipated flight to the moon under a five-year contract worth up to $200 million, officials announced Tuesday.
Under the terms of the contract, Beltsville-based Swales will provide research and technology services to the space agency’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. The contract includes modernization of the National Airspace System, a multi-year project mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, and work on Orion — a manned vehicle being developed for a flight to the moon around 2020. Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin and Hampton-based ViGYAN will work as Swales sub-contractors and provide engineering, design, analysis and development services.
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The partnership is a continuation of a 2001 contract with NASA and represents a significant portion of Langley’s $700 million annual budget.
“It’s a very big contract, and for them to have held it for six years -— and then win it on the recompete — says a great deal about the company,” said Marny Skora, a spokeswoman for NASA.
Swales, founded in 1978, has worked extensively with NASA in the past. The company, which employs about 900 in Beltsville and in offices throughout Virginia and California, is also currently working on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope repair mission.
“This is a very important win for us,” Mike Cerneck, CEO of Swales Aerospace, said in a statement. “We are pleased that we will have the opportunity to continue to provide the high quality engineering skills and capabilities the Swales team has brought to Langley Research Center. Swales, together with our teammates, is committed to assisting our Langley customers in achieving their vital and evolving mission.”
