SPARKS, Nev., May 14, 2015 – Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Space Systems was competitively selected by Exelis Geospatial Systems to develop and build the Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) Azimuth Rotation Module (ARM) for the Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) mission. Exelis is the prime contractor to NASA for the RBI.
The JPSS polar satellite constellation mission will gather global Earth observation data to better predict and monitor climate trends. The Exelis-built RBI scanning radiometer will measure Earth’s reflected sunlight and emitted thermal radiation. Long-term satellite data from RBI will help scientists and researchers understand the links between Earth’s incoming and outgoing energy. SNC will develop and build the ARM, which will serve as a rotational stage for the RBI Instrument and as the primary interface between the RBI and the JPSS-2 Spacecraft in its Louisville, Colorado, and Durham, North Carolina, facilities.
“SNC is excited to support Exelis on the RBI contract and to be a part of the JPSS-2 team whose work will provide critical Earth science data to allow for more accurate predictions of seasonal climate forecasts, improve global warming tracking and provide an enhanced understanding of cloud and climate feedback that determines climate variations and trends,” said Bryan Helgesen, director of business development for SNC’s Space Systems. “SNC is proud of our long history of developing leading-edge, high-precision technologies for space and our 100 percent on-orbit operational success rate.”
JPSS is scheduled to launch in early 2017, and JPSS-2 is planned for launch during the fourth quarter of 2021. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for managing operations of the JPSS program and NASA is responsible for developing and building the satellite and ground systems.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems business area based in Louisville, Colorado, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. Government, commercial customers, as well as for the international market. SNC’s Space Systems has more than 25 years of space heritage and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components. During its history, SNC’s Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients. For more information about SNC’s Space Systems visit http://www.sncspace.com/ and follow us at Facebook.com/SNCSpaceSystems and Twitter @SNCspacesystems.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, is among the “World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space.” Over the last 30 years, under the leadership of President Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen, SNC has become one of America’s fastest-growing private companies and the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor in the United States. With a workforce of over 3,000 personnel, SNC now has 32 locations in 18 states and two locations in Europe. SNC has a reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy.
SNC has six unique business areas that are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to its dynamic customer base. SNC has a proven track record of success spanning more than five decades. It is focused on providing its customers with the very best in diversified technologies and continues to focus its growth on the commercial sector through internal advancements in dual-use applications and outside acquisitions including the emerging markets of renewable energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, cyber and net-centric operations.
For more information on SNC visit http://www.sncorp.com/ and follow us at Facebook/Sierra Nevada Corporation. Sierra Nevada Corporation and SNC are trademarks of Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Media Contact: CommunicationsFromSNC@sncorp.com or Betsy McDonald at 775-849-6435.