Ball Aerospace will study the utility of lightweight electro-optical technology and data products for search, acquisition, tracking, and characterization of resident space objects. The LEOSS program will serve as a pathfinder for future Department of Defense geosynchronous space situational awareness sensors. Subsequent phases of the program may include a flight demonstration. Broad Reach Engineering will provide Ball Aerospace with the electronics for the LEOSS program.

"Ball Aerospace maintains an active research and development capability in the application of advanced lightweight materials," said Fred Doyle, vice president and general manager of Ball Aerospace, National Defense Solutions. "We will also apply our space situational awareness experience from the Space-Based Space Surveillance program, and space electro-optical payload experience to this critical technology demonstration program."

The development of systems to collect resident space object information ensures safe operations in space. The LEOSS demonstration program represents Ball Aerospace's commitment to provide advanced technology systems that include precision optics and electro-optical systems for aerospace and defense applications.

Ball Aerospace is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2006. The company began building pointing controls for military rockets in 1956, and later won a contract to build one of NASA's first spacecraft, the Orbiting Solar Observatory. Over the years, the company has been responsible for numerous technological and scientific 'firsts' and now acts as a technology innovator for important national missions.

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