Aug 13 (Reuters) - Engineering contractor KBR

said on Wednesday it had secured a $2.46 billion contract from

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to support

astronaut and worker health and safety during space missions.

Shares of KBR rose 2.7% in extended trading.

The five-year agreement, starting November 1, includes two

optional extensions potentially extending the contract until

2035. Most work will be conducted at NASA's Johnson Space Center

in Houston, Texas.

The total estimated value, including the extensions, is $3.6

billion, the company said.

The deal extends KBR's partnership with the space agency and

underscores its role in spaceflight operations.

KBR will provide services such as monitoring crew health,

occupational health support and researching risk reduction

strategies for astronauts, including those involved in the

Artemis program aimed at future Moon missions.

"This contract reinforces KBR's leadership in human

spaceflight operations," said Mark Kavanaugh, KBR president,

defense, intel and space.