BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has been selected to develop its S-Band phased array antenna for the next-generation U.S. Space Launch System (SLS) under a NASA Research Announcement.
The Ball Reliable Advanced Integrated Network (BRAIN) will deliver a single-solution prototype antenna that allows for sustained high data rate downlink from launch through mission completion. The high-performance antenna is operative for only seven-to-twelve minutes – the critical amount of time needed for sending telemetry and to video link to the ground during launch phase.
"Ball Aerospace is leveraging our company's extensive phased array antenna expertise for the Defense Department to demonstrate the SLS antenna," said David L. Taylor, Ball Aerospace president and CEO. "Ball's antenna design and adaptability ensures that data will be maintained even in the event of a vehicle anomaly."
The SLS will be the most powerful rocket the U.S. has built since the Apollo-era Saturn V booster, and will carry humans deeper into space than ever before. This is Ball's first contract win for the SLS.
As part of the company's manned exploration portfolio, work is continuing on the Orion phased array antenna. Ball is also supplying other components to Lockheed Martin in support of Orion including docking cameras, star trackers and the vision navigation system which was demonstrated on STS-134. Ball Aerospace worked on flight avionics as part of the NASA Ares contract for human-rated launch capabilities to the Boeing Company. Ball is leveraging advanced, high reliability and fault tolerant systems technologies in pursuit of other human spaceflight business opportunities such as NASA's Commercial Crew and the International Space Station.
The NASA NRA supports an evolutionary development strategy for SLS that allows for incremental progress within constrained budgets. To achieve this goal, NASA has solicited innovative development concepts from both industry and academic institutions that improve affordability, reliability or performance.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions for 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 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 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2011 sales of more than $8.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
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 on our website 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; political instability and sanctions; 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 recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, 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; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; 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.
