BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball
Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has delivered Wavefront Sensing
& Control (WFS&C) software for the James Webb Space
Telescope (JWST) to prime contractor Northrop Grumman Aerospace
Systems. The WFS&C software contains the sophisticated
mathematical algorithms that will be used to align and phase the
telescope's eighteen 1.3 meter hexagonal primary mirror segments to
perform as a single monolithic mirror.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110914/LA68036)
From the outset of the JWST program, WFS&C was identified as
a key new technology. Due to its size, the Webb telescope
must be launched in a stowed configuration and aligned on orbit.
This design feature has contributed to the critical accuracy
required of WFS&C software, which was rigorously tested using
Ball's fully functional, one-sixth scale Webb Telescope Testbed as
well as detailed computer simulations of the future
observatory.
The WFS&C software package is designed to provide vital
flexibility in control of the telescope optics to optimize system
performance on orbit, even in the presence of unforeseen problems.
In addition to co-phasing the individual segments to operate
as a single mirror, the software allows the primary mirror segments
and the secondary mirror to be adjusted from the ground, to
compensate for optical distortions that may occur in the
observatory throughout the life of the mission.
"The world-class optical system Ball is providing for the Webb
Telescope draws on our extensive experience providing space
hardware for NASA's observatories," said David L. Taylor, president and CEO of Ball
Aerospace. "And much like the unexpected benefits from
technology developed for Hubble, the Webb's wavefront sensing
technology is already being used in new commercial
applications."
On September 13, 2011, NASA
announced the completion of the mirror coating process at Quantum
Coating Inc., in Moorestown, N.J.,
marking yet another major milestone in development of the Webb
Telescope.
Ball Aerospace is the principal optical subcontractor for the
JWST program, led by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Space
Technology, under a contract from the NASA Goddard Space Flight
Center, in Greenbelt, MD.
Delivery of the advanced software marks the culmination of a
decade-long effort.
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 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than
$7.6 billion. For the latest Ball
news and for other company information, please visit
http://www.ball.com.
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"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.