CARPINTERIA, Calif.,
May 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
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 visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation