Satellite Communications - Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Awarded Recapitalization Contract to Provide Continuous Secure Communication in Polar Region

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 17:45:00 GMT

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – July 3, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded an $82 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to facilitate military satellite communications in the Earth’s north polar region through its Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) program. Northrop Grumman is the provider for all three major components of the EPS-R CAPS program demonstrating the company’s industry-leading end-to-end capabilities.

The U.S. Air Force's EPS provides secure, jam-resistant satellite communications coverage to forces in the North Polar Region (above 65 degrees north latitude) in support of national objectives. CAPS is a next-generation ground system that receives telemetry and supplies configuration commands, mission planning and cryptographic planning for the EPS and EPS-R polar-orbiting payloads. Northrop Grumman successfully developed, built and delivered the EPS CAPS for the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate (MILSATCOM) on a previous contract.

The Authority to Proceed granted by this contract award includes the development of software for the EPS-R CAPS taking the program from requirements analysis to test and delivery. The contract also addresses international host accommodations provided by Space Norway for new out of band link functions, cyber architecture, orbit planning, and the capability for controlling two additional EPS-R Payloads on a single software baseline in addition to the two existing EPS Payloads. Additionally, Northrop Grumman was selected by Space Norway to deliver its Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) system.

“Northrop Grumman is committed to delivering the critical ground segment technologies that support the important mission of U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Command," said Rob Fleming, vice president, strategic force programs, Northrop Grumman. “We demonstrate through this contract and in close collaboration with Space and Missile Command that existing ground design and software can be successfully modified to support new and advancing mission requirements, an important strategic priority for our customer.”

Work will be performed in Redondo Beach, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2023.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Deliver Space-Based Broadband Communication Satellites to North Polar Region for Space Norway

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 17:30:00 GMT

Dulles, Va. – July 3, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract by Space Norway to deliver its Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) system. Northrop Grumman will design, manufacture and integrate two satellites in addition to providing critical ground infrastructure.

Northrop Grumman will design, manufacture and integrate two satellites for Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission systems in addition to providing critical ground infrastructure.

The ASBM satellites will carry multiple hosted payloads including an X-Band payload for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and a Ka-Band payload for Inmarsat. Northrop Grumman announced last year that it will also provide two Extremely High Frequency eXtended Data Rate (EHF XDR) payloads for the Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization (EPS-R) to the U.S. Air Force for integration on the spacecraft. The systems are designed to improve secure and continuous communications in the North Polar Region. Additionally, Northrop Grumman was selected to provide critical ground infrastructure for EPS-R.

“This contract award marks our first mission with Space Norway and we appreciate the confidence they have in our capabilities to deliver high quality communication satellites,” said Frank DeMauro, sector vice president and general manager, space systems, Northrop Grumman. “By using our flight proven GeoStar platform coupled with our end-to-end payload integration capabilities, we are eager to demonstrate our ability to provide innovative solutions that regularly exceed our customer’s mission needs.”

ASBM’s satellite system will be designed, built and tested at Northrop Grumman’s state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles. The satellites will be based on the company’s proven GEOStar platform which has been integrated on more than 40 spacecraft. ASBM is scheduled for a dual launch in late 2022.

Space Norway was established in 2014 as a limited liability, governmentally owned company.

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Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack Turns First Sod at Satellite Ground Station East, Kapooka

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 17:30:00 GMT

WAGGA WAGGA, Australia - Sept. 28, 2018 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) Australia proudly hosted the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister, at Kapooka today to turn the first sod at Satellite Ground Station East (SGS-E), commemorating the new facility construction.

L to R: Colonel Michael Garraway AM, Commandant Army Recruit Training Centre, Ian Irving, Chief Executive, Northrop Grumman Australia, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Wing Commander William Myatt, Department of Defence.

SGS-E will be a key component of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) future satellite communications (SATCOM) capability, delivered by Northrop Grumman Australia and Viasat under Joint Project (JP) 2008 Phase 5B2. The facility will provide the ADF access to military communications satellites such as the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) constellation, which allows ADF personnel deployed across the Indo-Pacific region to connect to strategic information communications technology networks in Australia. Additionally, SGS-E will provide access to a range of commercial communications satellite services.

“Northrop Grumman and Viasat will provide the ADF a comprehensive and proven solution for taking full advantage of Australia’s investment in the WGS communications system,” said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “Our solution will also provide the ADF the flexibility necessary to accommodate future needs.”

The Hansen Yuncken company is leading construction of SGS-E, with AECOM providing design and civil engineering support. The construction will begin later this year and is estimated to provide more than 100 jobs across 22 different trades.

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Northrop Grumman-Built ATMS and CERES Instruments Successfully Supporting NOAA Weather Satellite

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 15:00:00 GMT

AZUSA, Calif. – March 30, 2018 –Two critical instruments built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) newest weather satellite were activated and are successfully performing post-launch procedures after reaching orbit.

This image uses ATMS data to depict the location and abundance of water vapor (as associated with antenna temperatures) in the lower atmosphere, from the surface of the Earth to 5 kilometers altitude. Blue-green and purple colors depict areas with less water vapor, while transparent/grey colors represent abundant water in all phases (vapor, clouds, and precipitation) in low and middle latitudes. In the polar regions, purple depicts surface snow and ice. Water vapor distribution in space and time is a critical measurement for improving global weather forecasts. With detailed vertical information, forecasters can better identify the transport of water vapor associated with jet streams, which can fuel severe weather events. Image courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Joint Polar Satellite System 1 (JPSS-1) spacecraft, now known officially as NOAA-20, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Nov. 18, 2017. The key Northrop Grumman-built instruments are the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), a next generation cross-track microwave sounder, and the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) (Flight Model) FM-6.

As of Jan. 23, the NOAA-20 ATMS has reached provisional maturity status declaring ATMS data products potentially ready for operational use. Data gathered by the ATMS Microwave Integrated Retrieval System technology is successfully generating atmospheric temperature vertical profiles, from the Earth’s surface to an altitude of 45 kilometers, as well as images of the location and abundance of water vapor, precipitation, and snow and ice cover. Water vapor distribution and vertical temperature science data are critical measurements for improving short- and long-term global and regional weather forecasts. With the detailed information ATMS provides, forecasters can better identify the transport of water vapor associated with jet streams, which give valuable insight to the nature of expected weather and also the duration of any weather system such as heavy rains leading to flooding, long term dry conditions leading to drought, and the direction and intensity of hurricanes.

“With the severity of weather experienced this past year, early weather prediction is becoming more crucial in protecting lives and property. We are excited that these sensors will provide the technological capabilities necessary to improve weather prediction accuracy,” said Bob Mehltretter, vice president, military and civil space, Northrop Grumman.

CERES FM-6, which measures reflected sunlight and thermal radiation, also is performing as expected. The covers on CERES were opened Jan. 5, allowing it to scan the surface of the Earth for the first time. CERES allows scientists to collect data to monitor the temperature of the planet and validate models that calculate the effect of clouds in driving planetary heating or cooling. This data can also be used to predict weather events such as El Niño and La Niña, which are climactic fluctuations in the temperature of the tropical Pacific Ocean that can influence weather globally.

The first data collected from the NOAA-20 instruments is preliminary and part of a series of startups and checkouts that will take place before the satellite becomes fully operational later this year.

NOAA-20 will join the NOAA/NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite in the same polar orbit, operating about 50 minutes ahead of Suomi NPP. These two satellites will revisit the same part of the earth at different times. This important coverage provides scientists with observations of atmospheric temperature and moisture, clouds, hurricane intensity, sea-surface temperature, ocean color, snow and ice cover, volcanic ash, smoke plumes and fire detection.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

In this longwave image from CERES FM6, heat energy radiated from Earth is represented by shades of yellow, red, blue and white. Bright yellow regions are the hottest and emit the most energy out to space. Dark blue and bright white regions, which represent clouds, are much colder and emit the least energy. Image courtesy of NASA.

In this shortwave image from CERES FM6, the white and green shades represent thick cloud cover reflecting incoming solar energy back to space. Compare that with the darker blue regions, which have no cloud cover, to get a sense for just how much clouds can affect the balance of incoming and outgoing energy on Earth. Image courtesy of NASA.

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Northrop Grumman to Supply Space Navigation System to Space Systems Loral

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 18:30:00 GMT

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – March 1, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract from Space Systems Loral (SSL) to supply its space navigation system for a next-generation satellite constellation.

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract from Space Systems Loral to supply its space navigation system for a next-generation satellite constellation.

Northrop Grumman will deliver its Scalable Space Inertial Reference Unit (Scalable SIRU^™) to SSL, to enable spacecraft attitude control and sensor pointing/stabilization.

“Our Scalable SIRU is very well-suited for commercial satellite applications,” said Dean Ebert, vice president, navigation and positioning systems, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “We are committed to offering our customers a variety of options to meet their specific mission needs through our versatile Scalable SIRU family of products.”

Northrop Grumman’s Scalable SIRU is the industry standard for high-precision, long-life attitude control solutions supporting commercial, government and civil space missions. The Scalable SIRU has proven its performance during numerous space missions, including NASA’s MESSENGER mission to orbit Mercury and Cassini’s journey to Saturn. At the heart of the Scalable SIRU is Northrop Grumman’s patented hemispherical resonator gyro, which has been used in space without a mission failure for more than 40 million operating hours.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit www.news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Northrop Grumman’s Astro Aerospace Completes NISAR Reflector Critical Design Review (CDR)

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 15:00:00 GMT

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Jan. 29, 2018 – Astro Aerospace, a Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) business, recently completed a successful Critical Design Review (CDR) of the AstroMesh® radar antenna reflector for the NASA-Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite.

NISAR will make global integrated measurements, providing a detailed view of Earth. NISAR’s radar imaging satellite will use dual L-Band and S-Band frequencies to measure the causes and consequences of land surface changes. The data collected will provide information to better manage resources and global change. NISAR is a partnership between NASA and the ISRO. NASA’s contribution to NISAR is being managed and implemented by the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

The completion of the CDR is a significant achievement in the development of the NISAR reflector. Post CDR, the program will move into the “build” phase of the AstroMesh® radar antenna reflector in preparation for the scheduled 2021 launch date. Northrop Grumman will use its proprietary AstroMesh® deployable mesh reflector for NISAR’s large aperture antenna, building an ultralight and extremely stiff reflector that is ideally suited for high frequency communications and radar applications. The AstroMesh® performance record is unmatched with its reflectors deploying successfully on-orbit without incident or failure.

“We are very proud to support NASA and the NISAR program on this important Earth science program,” said Michael Cross, general manager, Astro Aerospace, Northrop Grumman. “Successful achievement of this design maturity milestone is a great example of the strong partnership with the NASA JPL team.”

Northrop Grumman also supplied the 6-meter AstroMesh® antenna for NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite, the largest spinning reflector ever created.

Astro Aerospace is a leading pioneer of space deployable technology and structures that have enabled critical complex missions to Earth’s orbit, Mars and beyond. Astro Aerospace’s hardware is characterized by its light weight structural design and robust deployment kinematics. Since 1958, Astro Aerospace has successfully deployed technology on hundreds of space flights with a 100 percent success rate, a testament to Northrop Grumman's commitment to reliability, quality and affordability. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com/astro for more information.

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Northrop Grumman Australia Awarded Contract to Deliver Next-Generation Satellite Communications for the Australian Defence Force

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 13:40:00 GMT

CANBERRA – July 10, 2017 – The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) to provide systems that will expand Australia’s ability to fully realise its investment in the most advanced U.S. military satellites and increase communications coverage, capacity and connectivity for Australian troops and commanders worldwide.

Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia, and Rear Admiral Tony Dalton, Head of the Joint Systems Division for the Australian Defence Force, sign the Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B2 contract. Under the contact, Northrop Grumman will deliver a satellite ground station at Wagga Wagga in New South Wales and a wideband satellite communications network management system that supports home station and deployed forces.

The ADF’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group awarded the $AUD 223 million contract to Northrop Grumman Australia last month.

Australia joined the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system program in 2007, providing funds to expand the constellation in return for a worldwide share of WGS bandwidth.

Joint Project 2008 is a large multiphase project to deploy an integrated wideband satellite communications (SATCOM) system for the ADF. Under Phase 5B2 of the program, Northrop Grumman and its partners ViaSat Inc. and Optus will deliver a satellite ground station at Wagga Wagga in New South Wales and a wideband SATCOM network management system that supports home station and deployed forces.

The ground station and network management system will be integrated into the WGS constellation of highly capable, secure military communications satellites.

Northrop Grumman will provide a network management capability aligned with and functionally similar to the one developed for the United States that successfully manages and monitors the WGS system. It will be complemented by the proven performance of the ViaSat dual-band satellite terminal and the Australian operating experience of Optus.

“Our team of Northrop Grumman, ViaSat and Optus will provide the ADF a comprehensive, mature, proven solution for taking full advantage of Australia’s investment in the WGS global communications system with expandability to meet future needs,” said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia.

Operating out of Orlando, Florida, Northrop Grumman has been providing the United States with satellite communications software tools for nearly 20 years that are critical in the activation and operations of the nine WGS satellites in orbit. The company’s Satellite Communications Operations and Planning Element (SCOPE) aligns with the U.S. system and provides an integrated operations and network management software that models, plans, schedules and monitors satellite communications and ground station networks.

“Northrop Grumman’s SCOPE core capabilities are the foundation of this proven, operational system that manages and monitors satellite communications today,” Irving said. “That experience forms the ADF sovereign capability, providing benefits to Australia while reducing program risk.”

The WGS constellation is a vital military asset providing Australia, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and New Zealand with reliable and secure communications services worldwide 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

ViaSat has a long history of delivering satellite communications terminals to customers in the United States and Canada; most recently, the company delivered 10 complete ground stations for Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) program. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, ViaSat employs more than 3,400 people worldwide in the areas of technology development, customer service and network operations. For more information, please visit ViaSat at www.viasat.com.

Optus is Australia’s leading commercial satellite provider, with the largest fleet of satellites in Australia and New Zealand. Optus has played an integral role in the Australian Defence Force through the C1 communications satellite as well as operating Australia’s NBN satellites. For more information please visit http://www.optus.com.au/business/satellite.

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Northrop Grumman Delivers Mission Critical Hardware for Enhanced Polar System Ground Station Network

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 21:30:00 GMT

MCLEAN, Va. – Aug. 9, 2016 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) successfully deployed the Enhanced Polar System (EPS) Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) hardware in December 2015 to operational sites at Clear Air Force Station (CAFS), Alaska and Schriever Air Force Base (SAFB), Colorado – paving the way for System Acceptance Testing in the spring of 2017.

The U.S. Air Force's EPS provides secure, jam-resistant satellite communications coverage to users in the North Polar region to support national objectives. CAPS is a next-generation ground system that receives telemetry and supplies configuration commands, mission planning and cryptographic planning for the two EPS polar-orbiting payloads.

Northrop Grumman deployed the CAPS operations and test equipment hardware strings (racks that enable testing) to SAFB in Colorado, which is responsible for hosting the software and tools necessary for CAPS functionality. Northrop Grumman also deployed the satellite interfacing and routing equipment to CAFS in Alaska, which is responsible for maintaining the communications interface with the EPS constellation. Completing these milestones prepares EPS CAPS for the System Acceptance Tests.

"Our EPS CAPS team continues to execute the program and deliver capability on this nationally strategic program," said Joe Ensor, vice president and general manager, space intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems division, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. "Working closely with our customer, we are delivering innovation on an extremely complex effort to ensure mission success."

The CAPS design leverages Northrop Grumman's foundational payload control and planning proficiencies in use throughout the company from various heritage programs. These proven competencies establish a pathfinder for an affordable, scalable mission control capability for any variety of future protected satellite communications architecture options the company may pursue.

Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract in November 2012 to develop, build and deploy EPS CAPS. The Military Satellite Communications Systems (MILSATCOM) directorate at the Air Force's Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is acquiring EPS and EPS CAPS.

The 18-month CAPS base contract was for segment design and risk-reduction efforts, which were successfully completed, on time, in May 2014. This current contract covers the next 48 months to complete CAPS development, deployment and initial sustainment. Primary design, development and testing are being done in Redondo Beach, California, with additional CAPS work performed in Orlando, Florida, and Needham and Marlborough, Massachusetts.

CONTACT: Marynoele Benson 
         703-556-1651 
         marynoele.benson@ngc.com

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Northrop Grumman Receives Two Program Excellence Awards from Aviation Week for Protected Satellite Communications and UCAS-D Aerial Refueling

Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:30:00 GMT

Three generations of Northrop Grumman payloads are the heart of a constellation of ultra-secure communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit that are the most advanced and complex communication payloads in the world.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Protected Satellite Communications Payloads Orbital Operations program and its Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) program received Program Excellence awards from Aviation Week last month for being among the top-performers in the aerospace and defense industry. According to Aviation Week the awards celebrate the "best of the best programs" that are delivering results but also finding new ways to be more innovative, efficient, and better at delivering value to customers.

Northrop Grumman has built and sustained protected satellite communication payloads for more than 21 years, and delivered software updates to improve the constellation's capacity and capability. Collectively, the payloads have provided more than 750,000 hours of service with more than 99 percent availability in operational service. The communications payload built by Northrop Grumman offers senior leaders an assured means of communicating with our strategic nuclear forces and tactical warfighters day or night, anywhere in the world, under any level of military conflict.

The program is led by Peggy Paul, program manager, Protected Satellite Communications Payloads. She is the first program manager in the history of the Aviation Week Program Excellence Awards to win twice; Aviation Week recognized Paul and the Defense Support Program team in 2007.

The U.S. Navy UCAS-D - Northrop Grumman team, led by program manager Pablo Gonzalez, won for performing the first ever autonomous aerial refueling of an unmanned aircraft earlier this year, demonstrating the system's capability of extended range and endurance. The team developed new software and integrated it with an off-the-shelf electro-optic/infrared system to enable the X-47B to achieve the first-ever autonomous unmanned Navy-style probe-and-drogue aerial refueling. In 2013, with its initial historic first, the UCAS-D team demonstrated that an unmanned, fighter-sized, flying wing aircraft could safely and successfully land aboard and launch from an underway aircraft carrier.

The Aviation Week awards competition began with 72 competitors. Northrop Grumman had two other finalists in the competition: Global Combat Support System-Army (GCSS-Army) and the KC-10 Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) program. GCSS-Army provides a single enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to manage and monitor Army equipment and supplies for logistics planning, force mobilization and combat operations. With an anticipated user base of nearly 160,000 personnel, GCSS-Army is poised to be one of the largest ERP implementations in the Department of Defense. The KC-10 CLS program supports the U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender, an airborne refueling aircraft that also transports personnel, equipment and patients during refueling missions. The team has helped the Air Force achieve the highest sustained KC-10 fleet mission capable rates in more than 16 years and has enabled the delivery of more than 2.4 billion pounds of fuel since 2010.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visitwww.northropgrumman.com for more information.

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Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman Australia Partners with ViaSat and Optus to Deliver Next-Generation Satellite Communications for the Australian Defence Force

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia â Aug. 31, 2015 â Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has partnered with ViaSat and Optus to offer the Australian Defence Force (ADF) a proven solution for its utilisation of the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system.

Under the team's response to the ADF's tender request, Australia has the opportunity to gain access to Northrop Grumman's Satellite Communications Operations and Planning Element (SCOPE) network management system, which is the only managing, operating and monitoring system that has already been successfully integrated with the WGS. Northrop Grumman's network management system has been employed by U.S. Army Strategy Command for more than 15 years, and is critical to the successful operation of all six WGS satellites currently in orbit.

"Australia has invested approximately AU$1billion in WGS communications capabilities. Northrop Grumman's offering will give Australia the ability to fully utilise this capability at the same standard as the U.S. military," said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. "This program will form the core of the ADF's sovereign capability in network management. We have developed unrivaled capabilities over 15 years of working closely with the WGS program in the United States and look forward to working with the ADF to support and further develop this technology in Australia."

The team would also offer the proven performance of the ViaSat dual-band satellite terminals. ViaSat brings a long and successful history of delivering satellite communications terminals to customers in the United States and Canada, and most recently delivered 10 complete ground stations for Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN) program.

"Since 2012 ViaSat has been working with NBN Co. as the prime contractor for the NBN Long Term Satellite Service ground system, which is a very similar system to that required by the ADF" said Colin Cooper, General Manager, Government and Defence, ViaSat Australia. "No other company has our level of experience in delivering large satellite ground stations in remote regions of Australia."

The team would also offer the unrivaled Australian satellite operating experience of Optus. "We are pleased to be part of the Northrop Grumman team's bid to deliver this important capability to the Australian Defence Force," said Paul Sheridan, Vice President of Optus Satellite. "Optus has been successfully operating Australian satellites for over three decades. Optus' long term relationship with the ADF through our C1 satellite positions us well to complement the team's impressive capabilities moving forward."

The Northrop Grumman-led team offers the ADF a comprehensive, mature and proven solution which will allow Australia to take full advantage of its investment in the world-leading WGS network.

About ViaSat

ViaSat is a global provider of satellite broadband and wireless services, infrastructure, and technology. For more information, please visit ViaSat at www.viasat.com

About Optus

Optus is Australia's leading commercial satellite provider, with the largest fleet of satellites in Australia and New Zealand. For more information please visit http://www.optus.com.au/business/satellite .

About Northrop Grumman

  CONTACT: Christian Taubenschlag (Australia)
         +61 2 6161 8627 (office)
         +61 421 774 748 (mobile)

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NASA's SMAP Satellite Becomes Operationally Successful with Northrop Grumman AstroMesh(R) Reflector

Tue, 26 May 2015 14:00:00 GMT

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – May 26, 2015 – NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has declared the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) spacecraft fully operational, officially beginning the satellite's three-year mission to provide global measurements of soil moisture. This milestone also continues the 100 percent on-orbit success rate of Astro Aerospace, a Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) company, since its founding in 1958.

Launched Jan. 31 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, SMAP represents the future of Earth Science by helping researchers better understand our planet. SMAP's unmatched data capabilities are enabled in part by the largest spinning mesh reflector ever deployed in space, engineered by Astro Aerospace. The 6-meter reflector and boom are a critical system for SMAP, spinning at about 15 revolutions per minute (rpm) to create a conically scanning antenna beam of approximately 620 miles for total global mapping every two to three days.

SMAP data will improve weather and climate prediction models by increasing our understanding of the processes that link Earth's water, energy and carbon cycles. In addition to soil moisture levels, SMAP also will identify frozen or thawed water, which will be used to detect changes in growing season length and to help scientists better understand how much carbon plants absorb from the atmosphere each year. SMAP data will also be used to improve flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities.

The 20-foot reflector, which successfully deployed Feb. 24, is the largest spinning reflector ever created, and represents many engineering successes for NASA JPL and Astro Aerospace. Because the reflector could not be dynamically tested on the ground, a verified mass properties model was developed. The Astro Aerospace team manufactured and assembled each component with utmost precision.

"SMAP has the potential to affect the lives of each of us, and it is an honor to have participated with the NASA JPL team on such an important project," said John A. Alvarez, general manager, Astro Aerospace. "Thank you to JPL for being a great partner on this program, and to the entire Astro team who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the reflector and boom, and carry our 100 percent on-orbit success rate forward."

Despite the complexities of the mission, the SMAP reflector weighs only 56 pounds. The extremely stiff boom, which deployed the reflector into position and reduces deflections caused by the spin rate, weighs 55 pounds. With the remaining launch restraint equipment weighing approximately 15 pounds, the entire system totals a mere 127 pounds.

"This is an incredible achievement by JPL and the Astro Aerospace team and we congratulate NASA and JPL for advancing human discovery about our planet's soil moisture levels," said Chris Yamada, vice president, aerospace products, Northrop Grumman. "Our Astro Aerospace business continues to deliver advanced, innovative solutions for space deployable mechanisms and structures, such as this AstroMesh® reflector – the only deployable reflector with a flawless performance record."

The SMAP observatory holds a 426-mile near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit, with equator crossings at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. SMAP is designed to operate for a minimum of three years and is managed for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

Since 1958, Astro Aerospace ( www.northropgrumman.com/astro ) has helped enable complex missions to Earth orbit, Mars and beyond with its innovative deployable space structures and mechanisms. The business unit's products have been successfully deployed on hundreds of space flights with a 100 percent success rate, a testament to Northrop Grumman's commitment to reliability, quality and affordability.

Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Products business unit offers advanced capabilities to customers on earth and in space, and is a leader in bringing new technology to market. With expertise ranging from high powered lasers and adaptive optics to microelectronics and reliable space products, delivered via agile, focused business units, the Aerospace Products team partners with commercial and government customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com/aps for more information.

  CONTACT: AnnaMaria White
         424-327-0391
         annamaria.white@ngc.com

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