BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The STPSat-2
satellite, built by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. for the
U.S. Air Force STP-S26 launch, lifted off successfully from the
Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska, at
4:25 p.m. local time (6:25 MST) on board a Minotaur IV rocket.
STPSat-2 is the first spacecraft for the Department of Defense
(DoD) Space Test Program Standard Interface Vehicle (STP-SIV)
program managed by the Space Development and Test Directorate at
Kirtland Air Force Base,
Albuquerque, N.M. The STP-SIV
architecture developed for STPSat-2 supports the Operationally
Responsive Space strategy to ensure U.S. space superiority.
As the prime contractor, Ball Aerospace designed and built the
spacecraft and standard payload interface, integrated the three
payloads, performed space vehicle environmental testing and also
provided launch and mission support. STPSat-3, a clone of STPSat-2,
is nearing completion at Ball Aerospace with payload integration
scheduled for February 2011.
STPSat-3 will host four DoD experimental payloads.
"The STPSAT-2 spacecraft and its follow-on provide the nation's
responsive space community with a flexible solution that addresses
the critical need to manage cost, risk and performance," said
David L. Taylor, president and CEO
of Ball Aerospace. "The STP-SIV accommodates a broad range of
payloads for the DoD and the science and technology communities,
from missile warning to earth-remote sensing to situational
awareness."
Using flight-proven hardware for the spacecraft (and
developmental hardware only on the experimental payloads), each bus
can accommodate up to four independent payloads, each one having
its own separate power and data interface. This makes the standard
interface of the STPSat-2 spacecraft compatible with multiple
launch vehicles carrying experimental and risk reduction payloads
into various low-Earth orbits.
The STP-S26 mission is the 26th small launch vehicle mission in
the Space Test Program's 40-year history of flying Defense
Department experiments.
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
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 including discontinued
operations. For the latest Ball news and for other company
information, please visit 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; 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; integration of
recently acquired businesses; 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; 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.