Sep. 10, 2009 (United Press International) -- The U.S. space agency has extended an engineering contract held by L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) Integrated Systems LP of Waco, Texas.

NASA officials said the modification, which brings the total value of the L-3 contract to approximately $37.7 million, is for developmental engineering in support of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy mission.

The option modification under the base contract extends the period of performance through Dec. 31. The initial pact took effect Feb. 9, 2007, with a 23-month base period extending through Dec. 31, 2008, with three one-year options. Two additional one-year option periods yet to be exercised could extend the agreement through Dec. 31, 2011.

Officials said the SOFIA program includes a high-altitude airborne observatory consisting of a German-built 100-inch infrared telescope mounted in a cavity in the rear fuselage of a highly modified Boeing (NYSE:BA) 747 aircraft.

"Scientific instruments housed in the observatory will be capable of celestial observations ranging from visible light through the sub-millimeter far-infrared spectrum," NASA said.

The space agency and the German Aerospace Center are jointly developing SOFIA.