EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 3, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Polar-
orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) achieved a
major milestone with the delivery of an advanced sensor engineering
development unit by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN).
Raytheon is a teammate with and subcontractor to Northrop Grumman Corp.
(NYSE: NOC) on NPOESS, the next-generation, low-earth-orbiting
environmental system of satellites, sensors, ground control technology, and
a data processing and dissemination network.
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems delivered the Visible Infrared
Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) unit to Ball Aerospace & Technology Co.
for integration and testing on the NPOESS Preparatory Project spacecraft.
The delivery, which marks the culmination of an intensive effort to design
and test the complex sensor, enables the start of system-level testing and
risk reduction.
The tests will verify the mechanical and electrical interfaces of the
VIIRS unit and its compatibility with the preparatory spacecraft's
state-of- the-art data network. Along with other planned instruments, the
VIIRS unit will also be part of a compatibility test that involves
commanding the preparatory spacecraft and sensors from the ground station
at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency's satellite operations
facility.
"Delivery of this next-generation sensor is a significant step toward
ensuring early access to critical data and reducing the risks incurred
while current systems transition to NPOESS," said Jon Jones, president of
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems.
VIIRS is one of four sensors that will fly on NPOESS Preparatory
Project spacecraft. The multi-spectral instrument will collect
visible/infrared and radiometric data on such atmospheric features as
clouds, earth radiation, and sea color and surface temperature. The
preparatory spacecraft is the precursor to NPOESS and will provide
technical risk reduction and data continuity between NASA's scientific
Earth Observing System satellites Terra, Aqua and Aura, and the operational
NPOESS system.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered
in Los Angeles. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced,
innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense
electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and
space technology. With more than 120,000 employees, and operations in all
50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international
military, government and commercial customers.
Raytheon Company, with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an industry
leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people
worldwide.
Contact:
Lorenzo Cortes
310.334.4431
310.503.3089 (mobile)
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com/
CONTACT:
Lorenzo Cortes of Raytheon Company,
+1-310-334-4431, or mobile, +1-310-503-3089
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