Under the GFO-2 contract, Ball Aerospace will upgrade the payloads, as compared to the original GFO satellite that was launched in 1998, with a dual frequency radar altimeter, and provide enhanced radio frequency interference immunity with significantly reduced data latency. The GFO-2 satellite will be operated from the Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center located at Kirtland Air Force Base. The altimetry data will be processed at the Naval Oceanographic Office located at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
"It's a global imperative to maintain critical ocean observation information based on altimetry data," said Ball Aerospace president and CEO, David L. Taylor. "We look forward to restoring and enhancing our nation's precision altimetry data stream with proven spacecraft and payload designs and algorithms."
For GFO-2, Ball Aerospace directs the activities of several experienced altimeter mission partners including instrument suppliers Thales Alenia Space and ITT/EDO. Ball Aerospace will deliver the Payloads Operation Centers hardware and software, and provide the satellite platform. In addition, the company will perform payload/satellite integration, launch vehicle management and on-orbit commissioning. GFO-2 has a six-year operational mission life following its anticipated launch in 2014.
Ball Aerospace was also contracted for the original GFO satellite. GFO was decommissioned in 2009 after a decade of successful operations, exceeding its mission life by five years and design life by two years.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high-quality metal and plastic packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,000 people worldwide and reported 2009 sales of more than $7.3 billion.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available at our Web site and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the current global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions, joint ventures or divestitures; integration of recently acquired businesses; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including in respect of climate change, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
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| Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command SPAWAR Roz Brown of Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. Phone: +1-303-533-6059 Email Contact Web: http://www.ballaerospace.com |