BLL Ball Corp

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has successfully completed integration of the Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite (OMPS) for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP). (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090225/LA75133) The OMPS Flight Model 1 instrument was the first developmental instrument delivered for spacecraft integration, and the third instrument integrated to the Ball Aerospace-built NPP spacecraft. The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System instrument, and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder were integrated in 2008. The fourth and fifth instruments, the Cross-track Infrared Sounder and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, are scheduled for delivery in 2009. Once all five instruments are delivered, Ball will begin full systems integration and test to put the system on its final path to launch, scheduled for 2010. OMPS is designed to provide higher fidelity monitoring of ozone from space. OMPS is comprised of two sensors, a nadir sensor and limb sensor. Measurements from the nadir sensor are used to generate total column ozone measurements, while measurements from the limb sensor generate ozone profiles of the along-track limb scattered solar radiance. "Developmental instruments are always a challenge which made it all the more rewarding that our program team was able to successfully deliver OMPS," said Cary Ludtke, vice president and general manager for Ball's civil and operational space business unit. "We anticipate additional significant milestones for NPP in 2009." NPOESS is the nation's next generation low-Earth orbiting operational environmental system for civilian and military applications. NPP is a joint effort between the NPOESS Integrated Program Office and NASA. Ball Aerospace is part of the NPOESS team led by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. 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. Since 1956, Ball Aerospace has been responsible for numerous technological and scientific 'firsts' and is a technology innovator in aerospace. Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high-quality metal and plastic packaging products 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 2008 sales of more than $7.5 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 http://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, including our beverage can end project; 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, tax rates and activities of foreign subsidiaries. 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 credit squeeze 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 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. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090225/LA75133 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. CONTACT: Roz Brown of Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., +1-303-533-6059,

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