Space Solutions

Date posted: 07/15/2009*

• Operationally Responsive Space (ORS)
• Missile Warning and Defense
• Environmental Monitoring
• NASA Mission Training and Support

Operationally Responsive Space (ORS)
Department of Defense ORS efforts focus on using smaller, less expensive, launch-on-demand satellites to speed actionable information to commanders and ground troops. Raytheon has played a leading role in supporting the ORS vision from its inception and is a key industry partner in several groundbreaking programs:

• Mini-RF. These high-performance microsatellite sensors will initially be used on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and in the Chandrayaan lunar mission. In the future, they may be used to support in-theater operations.
   
• ARTEMIS (Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer). Scheduled for launch later this year, this advanced hyperspectral imager supports the U.S. Air Force TacSat-3 space program. Its goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of designing and delivering small, best-value space solutions within months of an identified combat need.

 

Missile Warning and Defense
Raytheon supports today’s missile warning and defense communications missions while developing and delivering innovative solutions to meet future requirements.

• STSS (Space Tracking and Surveillance System). Part of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System, STSS will be used to acquire, track, report, analyze and verify missile and intercept events from lift-off through midcourse.
   
• RR-AIRSS (Risk Reduction-Advanced Infrared Satellite System). Raytheon’s mission-ready AIRSS technology provides the most advanced missile warning capability available. The first fully integrated RR-AIRSS sensor was delivered to the U.S. Air Force in early March.
   
• Global Broadcast Service (GBS). A high-speed, wideband military satellite communications system, GBS broadcasts near real-time data to joint military forces around the world.
   
• GPS OCX. This next-generation ground control system for our nation’s global positioning system (GPS) requirements brings net-centric and navigation capabilities to the warfighter and enables GPS II and III satellite control. It will provide the U.S. Air Force with superior accuracy and functionality across the entire GPS network.

 

Environmental Monitoring
For decades, sophisticated Raytheon technology has been instrumental in monitoring the Earth’s weather, water, climate and other environmental factors. Systems include:

• MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers). The primary instruments on NASA’s Earth observing system, these advanced spectroradiometers are improving our understanding of global dynamics.
   
• VIIRS (Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite). Designed to last nearly twice as long on orbit as the current polar weather sensors, VIIRS will provide advanced imaging and radiometric capabilities for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System.
   
• JAMI (Japanese Advanced Meteorological Imager). Offering full Earth coverage and superior image quality, JAMI provides timely, full-disk multispectral imagery for operational weather needs over Japan, East Asia and Australia.

 

NASA Mission Training and Support
Raytheon operates, maintains and provides sustaining engineering for a variety of NASA training programs. Among these are two critical human space-flight training facilities located at NASA’s Johnson Space Center: the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility (SVMF). Both provide training for the space shuttle and International Space Station program.

• Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. This vast facility contains a deep-water tank that can simultaneously support two separate test sessions using full-size shuttle and space station underwater mock-ups. Raytheon maintains the configuration of the more than 1,000 mock-ups, and performs preventive maintenance and repair.
   
• Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility. The SVMF provides capabilities for space flight training, mission development/support and engineering, including a full-scale space station mock-up.
   
• Systems Management, Operations and Training. Raytheon performs major logistical, technical and operations services 24/7 to support the dynamically changing operational environments in three of the most critical and hazardous training facilities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

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