Houston Engineer to Support Human Spaceflight Programs
Engineering and technology contractor KBR has been awarded a contract worth up to US$1.9 billion for the continued support of NASA’s human spaceflight programs.
The Integrated Missions Operations Contract III calls for the US firm to provide mission planning and preparation, astronaut and mission control center flight controller training, real-time flight execution, and future exploration vehicle design and development services for all of NASA's human spaceflight programs, including the International Space Station, Artemis and Low Earth Orbit Commercialization.
KBR will also work on software development services for the International Space Station Program Avionics and Software Office.
Work will be carried out at various agency locations including Johnson Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center. The five-year contract, a follow-on to IMOC II, includes options to extend for another four years.
In 2019, KBR became the first company allowed to train private astronauts at NASA facilities in spaceflight tasks, including operating onboard ISS systems, performing routine operational tasks, maintaining health and performance and responding to emergencies.
“Having trained every astronaut, international partner and private astronaut how to live and work on every NASA human spaceflight vehicle in use today, KBR’s expertise in human spaceflight is unparalleled,” said Stuart Bradie, president and CEO at KBR. “KBR does work that matters and we could not be more privileged to continue our support of returning humans to the moon and advancing the next generation of space exploration.”
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, KBR employs about 32,000 people worldwide, with operations in some 33 countries focusing on sectors such as aerospace, defense, industrial and intelligence.
The company’s revenues in the first six months of 2023 totaled US$3.5 billion, up by 14 percent compared with the same period last year. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization was US$373 million, up 10 percent.
KBR is a member of the Breakbulk Global Shipper Network, an extensive networking platform for executives operating at the top end of the project supply chain in sectors such as oil and gas, energy and renewables, mining and minerals, construction, forestry, industrial manufacturing and aerospace.
The next in-person meet-up for BGSN members will be at Breakbulk Americas 2023, taking place on 26-28 September at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
