Nasa has increased the value of an existing contract to $58.75m to research and develop technology on aerospace vehicles.

The contract included research and development in structures and materials, aerodynamic, aerothermodynamic and acoustics technology for space vehicles.

The increase in value of the contract by about $20m will enable the agency and Langley Research Center to meet critical requirements.

The original contract had been awarded in 2004 to Analytical Services & Materials, Boeing, Huntington Beach, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

The contract modification will allow Nasa sufficient time to complete the competitive follow-on acquisition.