Leidos secures $476M NASA contract for ISS and Artemis Cargo Support

Leidos secures $476M NASA contract for ISS and Artemis Cargo Support
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 11, 2024

Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) has been awarded a significant contract to continue providing cargo mission engineering and integration services for NASA's International Space Station (ISS) Program and Artemis campaign. The contract, which holds a total potential value of $476 million, includes a base performance period of two years. The primary work will be conducted at Leidos' facilities in Webster, Texas.

"Leidos is at the forefront of advancing human spaceflight," said Liz Porter, president of Leidos Health and Civil sector. "From ensuring safe water for long-duration missions with our new Exploration Potable Water Dispenser to studying the impacts of radiation and microgravity, we are addressing some of the most critical challenges in space exploration."

Leidos has been a cornerstone in NASA's cargo mission support since 2004. The company has assisted with over 160 ISS Visiting Vehicle Missions, delivering more than 310,000 pounds of cargo and scientific equipment to the space station. Additionally, Leidos has managed over 85 ISS Return Vehicle Missions, recovering and distributing over 115,000 pounds of science and cargo. This extensive experience underscores Leidos' capacity to handle the complexities of space mission logistics.

The awarded contract entails comprehensive analytical and physical processing support for NASA missions, including engineering, maintenance, and operations services. Leidos will also develop, fabricate, and certify essential hardware to meet mission objectives. Managing the space station and Artemis manifest requirements for launch, return, and disposal is another critical component of the contract. This ensures that all necessary crew provisions and supplies are adequately transported to sustain human presence in space.

Debbie Wells, Leidos vice president of Space Exploration and Mission Operations, emphasized the importance of crew-sustaining provisions in successful missions. "Whether it's aboard the International Space Station or pushing the boundaries even further on Artemis, crew-sustaining provisions play a critical role in successful missions," commented Wells.

"For more than two decades, the Leidos team has carefully and painstakingly prepared cargo to withstand both the intense forces of a rocket launch and the microgravity of orbit to sustain human presence in space. We look forward to continuing to support this critical work for NASA to ensure mission success."

A key innovation by Leidos is the Exploration Potable Water Dispenser (xPWD), which provides potable-quality water at the correct temperature for both food and beverage rehydration. The xPWD, designed and developed by Leidos, was successfully deployed aboard the ISS on August 30, 2023. This device is crucial for long-duration missions, ensuring astronauts have access to safe drinking water.

Leidos' role extends beyond merely supplying cargo; the company is involved in studying the impacts of radiation and microgravity, which are among the most pressing challenges in space exploration. Their ongoing research and development efforts are aimed at enhancing the safety and sustainability of human spaceflight.

With this new contract, Leidos will continue its legacy of supporting NASA's ambitious space exploration goals. The company's expertise in handling complex logistics, engineering challenges, and critical supply chain management will be instrumental in the success of both the ISS and Artemis programs.