Harris Corporation Selected for Potential $58 Million Contract for New NASA Space...

Harris Corporation Selected for Potential $58 Million Contract for New NASA
Space Suit Communications System
Software-defined Radios Are Key Component of Constellation Program
Extravehicular Activity

MELBOURNE, Fla., June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation
(NYSE: HRS), an international communications and information technology
company, has been selected for a potential seven-year, $58 million contract to
provide the RF communications/navigation system for the next-generation space
suit supporting NASA's Constellation program. Harris is a member of the
Oceaneering International, Inc. team.
The primary goals of NASA's Constellation Program are to maintain an
American presence in low Earth orbit, to return to the moon for purposes of
establishing an outpost, and to lay a foundation to explore Mars and beyond in
the first half of the 21st century.
Under the new Constellation Space Suit System (CSSS) contract, Harris will
supply a radiation-hardened, software-defined radio (SDR); a voice-only
contingency radio; and low profile antennas. The SDR provides the flexibility
and adaptability required to accommodate evolving voice and data networking
requirements of future lunar missions with the goal of future-proofing the
space suit's communications system.
The new modular space-suit system will include two configurations for
individual crewmembers during Orion missions: one for low Earth orbit, and a
second for lunar surface extravehicular activity. It is the first new U.S.
space suit to be developed since those designed for the Space Shuttle program.
NASA awarded the contract to the Oceaneering International team last week to
design, build, test, certify, produce, process, and integrate the new space
suit system.
"This award represents a strategic win for Harris in a market that we have
targeted for growth. Harris technology will help NASA realize its vision for
the next generation of space exploration," said Frank Van Rensselaer, vice
president and senior executive account manager for NASA Programs at Harris
Government Communications Systems. "We are very pleased to be working with
Oceaneering International on this important initiative that helps to ensure
the comfort and safety of our nation's astronauts, while providing them the
most advanced communications technology available."
Harris has supported major NASA programs since the 1960s, including the
Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. As NASA began Project
Constellation, which includes a new generation of spacecraft and other space
platforms, Harris launched a strategic growth initiative to pursue new
opportunities with NASA. Harris is very pleased to join the contractor team
that will support future missions to the Moon and beyond.
About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology
company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries.
Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of more
than $5 billion and 16,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and
scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured
communications(R) products, systems, and services. Additional information
about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.
SOURCE Harris Corporation

Sleighton Meyer, Harris Government Communications Systems, +1-321-727-6514,
sleighton.meyer@harris.com, Jim Burke, Harris Corporation, +1-321-727-9131,
jim.burke@harris.com, or Marc Raimondi, Harris Corporation - Washington, D.C.,
+1-202-729-1738, marc.raimondi@harris.com