Lockheed Martin is to offer excess Ka-band capacity on NASA's Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) to commercial customers under its Consolidated Space Operations Contract (CSOC). Deployed in September 1993 from the Space Shuttle Discovery with a five-man crew, the multiple spot-beam ACTS is expected to remain operational beyond June next year. Lockheed Martin is working to commercialise NASA's space and ground networks under the 10-year, $3.4 billion CSOC, awarded last year.
Source: Flight International