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Northrop Grumman-Built Aura Spacecraft Declared Operational
Redondo Beach CA (SPX) Oct 14, 2004 NASA has declared Aura, the newest Earth Observing system (EOS) satellite built by Northrop Grumman operational. Aura, the second EOS satellite built by the company for NASA, has started to provide the most comprehensive space-based measurements ever of atmospheric gases. Northrop Grumman turned over the symbolic "key" to the spacecraft in a ceremony held today at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Aura will be operated by engineers and technicians stationed at Goddard's mission control center for the next six years. Aura was launched July 15 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. "Aura's smooth transition to operational status is an example of our company's commitment to mission success and close partnership with NASA Goddard," said Wes Bush, president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector. "We are confident that Aura, like its sibling Aqua, will make major contributions to the understanding of long-term climate changes over its lifetime." Aura is a member of Northrop Grumman's family of spacecraft that feature low-jitter, precision pointing and longevity for scientific and operational remote sensing missions. The versatile spacecraft has a large payload deck that was easily adapted for the mission-specific needs of Aura and Aqua, and will be adapted for future earth observation missions such as the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System. Northrop Grumman applied the lessons learned building Aqua to Aura to reduce costs and improve quality. Design changes were minimized, mature flight software was used, common parts were bought at the same time, and experienced personnel was retained to work on Aura. Aura carries instruments that have already begun working together to provide measurements in the troposphere and stratosphere. The satellite will help to answer key scientific questions - Is the Earth's ozone layer recovering? What are the processes controlling air quality? How is the Earth's climate changing? Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Northrop Grumman SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application
New Legislation Initiated To Support Commercial Remote Sensing Industry
New York NY (SPX) Jan 11, 2006The importance of remotely sensed data and technologies to support natural disasters has prompted attention and action in Washington. New initiatives and legislation authorizing appropriations to the remote sensing industry will be discussed at Strategic Research Institute's U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Industry conference, scheduled for February 9-10, 2006 in Washington D.C. |
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