Dynetics has received a potential 11-year, $221.7 million contract from NASA to design, build and test a universal stage adapter for integration into the Space Launch System rocket.
NASA said Thursday it will use the adapter to connect the SLS rocket to the Orion spacecraft for Exploration Mission-2, a possible first crewed and second integrated flight test with both platforms.
The contract has a four-year base period that is scheduled to commence Aug. 1 and six options for the space agency to order additional adapters for missions beyond EM-2.
Dynetics will develop the adapter in an effort to increase cargo space for potential configurations on the SLS rocket that will include an exploration upper stage.
The device will be built to also store habitat, deep-space exploration spacecraft and other secondary payloads that weigh up to 115 tons combined.
