Better Data, Improved Forecasts, Ball-built JPSS-1 Successfully Launched

"JPSS-1 is one of the most advanced environmental systems ever created by government and industry partners – NOAA, NASA, Ball, Harris, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and United Launch Alliance," said Rob Strain, president, Ball Aerospace. "The information collected from its next-generation suite of instruments will soon deliver advanced data to help protect lives, property and our planet." 

JPSS-1, or NOAA-20 as it will be known once it reaches its polar orbit, will join the Ball-built, Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP), which has served as NOAA's primary operational satellite for global weather observations since May 2014. Together, the two satellites, each circling the Earth 14 times per day, will provide global observations for U.S. weather and environmental predictions.

The JPSS series of polar-orbiting weather satellites will work as the foundation of NOAA's operational environmental forecasting system for the next 20 years. The JPSS missions are funded by NOAA to provide global environmental data in low-Earth polar orbit. NASA is the acquisition agent for the flight systems, launch services and components of the ground segment.

Ball designed and built the JPSS-1 spacecraft, the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite-Nadir instrument (OMPS-N), integrated all five of the satellite's instruments, performed satellite-level testing and launch support, and will hand over control of the satellite to NOAA 90 days after launch for continued operations. Ball will build the OMPS instruments for NOAA's Follow-On/JPSS-3 and JPSS-4 missions, under a sole source contract modification award from NASA.

Visit ball.com/aerospace for more information and interactive downloads. Follow Ball Aerospace on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to tune into the latest JPSS-1 news!

Ball Aerospace (NYSE: BLL) pioneers discoveries that enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.  We create innovative space solutions, enable more accurate weather forecasts, drive insightful observations of our planet, deliver actionable data and intelligence, and ensure those who defend our freedom go forward bravely and return home safely. For more information, visit www.ball.com/aerospace or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 18,450 people worldwide and 2016 net sales were $9.1 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

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SOURCE Ball Aerospace

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