CSC Supports Successful NASA Test Launch

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- CSC (NYSE: CSC) recently played an integral part in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) successful launch of the Ares I-X test vehicle at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ares I-X test vehicle is the planned replacement for the United States' Space Shuttle, which is the primary launch vehicle for human spaceflight to low earth orbit and beyond.
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A CSC-managed joint venture, known as Computer Sciences Raytheon (CSR), provided essential range services for the historic launch. The CSC-led team developed the Ares I-X mission plans for the U.S. Air Force. On launch day, about 150 personnel provided real-time radar and optical tracking of the vehicle on its suborbital flight and operated the integrated communications, command and control systems. CSR personnel also provided real-time weather observations in the launch area.
"Despite the developmental nature of the Ares I-X test flight and many late-breaking requirement changes, the CSC-led team was able to accelerate production of the range instrumentation plans, which were completed in only 20 days instead of the national standard of 50 days," said Michael W. Maier, vice president and general manager of CSR. "This successful launch demonstrates our ability to provide responsive range services for the new launch systems under development, while ensuring total range safety and excellent technical performance."
The flight test demonstrated basic design and aerodynamic performance. Data collected from the heavily instrumented Ares I-X vehicle will be used to improve the design and safety of the next generation of American spaceflight vehicles.
For more information about the Ares X-1 test launch, visit www.csc.com/ares
About CSC
CSC is a global leader in providing technology-enabled solutions and services through three primary lines of business. These include Business Solutions and Services, the Managed Services Sector and the North American Public Sector. CSC's advanced capabilities include systems design and integration, information technology and business process outsourcing, applications software development, Web and application hosting, mission support and management consulting. Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., CSC has approximately 92,000 employees and reported revenue of $16.0 billion for the 12 months ended October 2, 2009. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.csc.com.