REDONDO BEACH, Calif., July 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for one of several Next Mars Orbiter (NeMO) conceptual study efforts to develop concepts for a potential future orbiter.

In the four-month study, the Northrop Grumman team is thoroughly evaluating a range of potential solutions using a variety of the company's production and heritage spacecraft platforms and designs. The study's focus is NeMO mission objectives and requirements, including advanced communications and imaging, and robotic science exploration.

"NASA's Journey to Mars mission is a very exciting focus for anyone who has ever looked up at the stars," said Bob Mehltretter, vice president, military and civil space systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Drawing on our history of successful manned and unmanned space programs, as well as our advanced communications technologies, we are excited to be working with JPL on the best design for a future Mars orbiter."

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

CONTACT: AnnaMaria White
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