BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball
Aerospace and Microsoft were selected to demonstrate agile cloud
processing capabilities in support of the U.S. Air Force's Space
and Missile Systems Center's Commercially Augmented Space Inter
Networked Operations (CASINO) project. The demonstration will show
how simultaneous, worldwide data streams from large, distributed
constellations of small satellites can be processed quickly using
Microsoft's Azure cloud and Ball Aerospace algorithms.
Additionally, the demonstration will include a single downlink
directly into a Microsoft data center using a Ball Aerospace phased
array antenna.
"Together with Microsoft, we will show how this type of data
processing system, which leverages Ball phased array technology and
imagery exploitation algorithms in Azure, is flexible and scalable
-- designed to support additional satellites and processing
capabilities in the future," said Steve
Smith, vice president and general manager, Systems
Engineering Solutions, Ball Aerospace. "Overall, this type of data
processing in the cloud can provide actionable, relevant
information quickly and more cost-effectively to the end user."
The prototype effort, facilitated by the Defense Innovation
Unit, will evaluate Ball Aerospace's use of Azure as the cloud
platform for CASINO to leverage Microsoft's deep expertise in data
protection, security and privacy.
"Essentially this is the ultimate intelligent edge scenario,
where massive amounts of data must be processed at the edge,
whether that edge is in space or on the ground," said Tom Keane, Corporate Vice President, Azure
Global, Microsoft. "This partnership with Ball Aerospace enables us
to bring satellite data to ground and cloud faster than ever,
leapfrogging other solutions on the market. Our joint innovation in
direct satellite-to-cloud communication and accelerated data
processing provides the Department of Defense, including the Air
Force, with entirely new capabilities to explore as they continue
to advance their mission."
Microsoft Azure enables innovation with integrated cloud
services, data processing and advanced analytics, and an open
application platform that provides the building blocks to rapidly
develop, deploy and manage intelligent solutions.
Ball Aerospace has more than 30 years of data processing
experience, including developing unique and accurate exploitation
algorithms for satellite systems. Ball is streamlining the
integration of new features into operational systems, bringing
essential mission capabilities into operations faster than before
using an open architecture approach that eliminates the
single-contractor integration bottleneck in traditional software
development models. This modern software development practice
succeeds by enabling external tool developers to rapidly design and
test capabilities in an operations-like environment without risking
system security or stability. Ball also has five decades of
experience delivering electronically-steered flat panel, or phased
array, antenna solutions for military and government customers,
with two decades of experience delivering planar phased array
terminals.
Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission
focus, Ball Aerospace 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. Go
Beyond with Ball.® For more information, visit
www.ball.com/aerospace or connect with us on Facebook or
Twitter.
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies
innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage,
personal care 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
17,500 people worldwide and reported 2018 net sales of $11.6 billion. For more information, visit
www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital transformation
for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its
mission is to empower every person and every organization on the
planet to achieve more. Microsoft Azure enables innovation with
deeply integrated cloud services, data and advanced analytics, and
an open application platform that provides the building blocks to
rapidly develop, deploy and manage intelligent solutions. Microsoft
is committed to supporting the full spectrum of government data to
help agencies quickly and easily achieve their necessary
requirements. With the choice of using Azure and Azure Government,
U.S. government agencies can leverage the compliance coverage they
need across regulatory standards.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains
"forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial
performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates,"
"believes," "targets," "likely," "positions" and similar
expressions typically identify forward-looking statements, which
are generally any statements other than statements of historical
fact. Such statements are based on current expectations or views of
the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could
cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
expressed or implied. You should therefore not place undue reliance
upon any forward-looking statements and any such statements should
be read in conjunction with, and, qualified in their entirety by,
the cautionary statements referenced below. 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 factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual outcomes and results to be different are summarized in
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and
at www.sec.gov. Additional factors that might affect: a) our
packaging segments include product demand fluctuations;
availability/cost of raw materials and logistics; competitive
packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and
weather; footprint adjustments and other manufacturing changes,
including the startup of new facilities and lines; failure to
achieve synergies, productivity improvements or cost reductions;
mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and
supplier consolidation, power and supply chain interruptions;
potential delays and tariffs related to the U.K's departure from
the EU; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or a loss
of a major customer or supplier; political instability and
sanctions; currency controls; changes in foreign exchange or tax
rates; and tariffs, trade actions, or other governmental actions in
any country affecting goods produced by us or in our supply chain,
including imported raw materials, such as pursuant to section 232
of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962; b) our aerospace segment
include funding, authorization, availability and returns of
government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and
technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the company
as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management;
regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health
and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or
public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or
chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the
manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations;
litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets
of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes;
uncertainties surrounding geopolitical events and governmental
policies both in the U.S. and in other countries, including the
U.S. government elections, budget, sequestration and debt limit;
reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and
successful or unsuccessful joint ventures, acquisitions and
divestitures, including with respect to the Rexam PLC acquisition,
its integration, the associated divestiture, and their effects on
our operating results and business generally.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ball-aerospace-and-microsoft-selected-by-air-force-to-demonstrate-cloud-processing-capabilities-for-leo-satellite-constellations-300919900.html
SOURCE Ball Aerospace