TRW Expects to Build Satellite for Use in Astronomy

TRW said Monday that it is entering into final negotiations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to build a $508-million satellite that will study such astronomical phenomena as exploding stars and the collision of galaxies.

Although a final contract has not been awarded, TRW officials say all that needs to be done is to settle a few details with NASA before a final agreement is signed. TRW, which had been competing against Lockheed to build the satellite, says the contract will not lead to any immediate increase in jobs.

15 Years of Use

The satellite--called the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility--is one of four Earth orbiting observatories NASA will use to study the different sources of energy in the universe and look into the birth and death of stars.

The 30,000-pound satellite, which will launched into space by 1996, will feature an X-ray telescope built by a subsidiary of Eastman Kodak. The telescope will be used by NASA and foreign scientists for 15 years.

So far, NASA has granted contracts to TRW to build a $250-million satellite--called the Gamma Ray Observatory--and another to Lockheed for the construction of the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA has not yet asked for bids on the fourth satellite--the Space Infrared Telescope Facility.