Subtle Hints About Shuttle Fleet Ops Extension?

NASA Awards Contract for Space Shuttle Robotics Support, NASA JSC

“The cost plus no fee contract will provide support for activities related to both the Space Shuttle Program and International Space Station Program. The contract includes a base period from Jan. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30, 2010, followed by two one-year extension options.”

Editor’s note: Hmmm … if the Shuttle fleet is supposed to be retired in 2010, why is there any need for “two one-year extension options” for hardware that is only used on the Space Shuttle?

Editor’s update: According to PAO’s Michael Curie “The two option years are for space station, not shuttle, robotics.” OK. Then perhaps the title of the press release should have been “NASA Awards Contract for Space Shuttle and Space Station Robotics Support” and the lead paragraph changed to something like “for support of hardware and software associated with the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System robotic arm, inspection boom assembly and robotic work station and for International Space Station robotic hardware and software“. Otherwise the release, as written, seems to focus only on shuttle-based hardware – since it is the only hardware that is specifically mentioned.