LANHAM, Md.--(Business Wire)--
Sigma Space announced today the delivery of the complete
opto-mechanical system, electronics, and fuselage structure for NASA's
first science instrument to be flown in the Global Hawk platform. The
instrument, built under the direction of Dr. Matthew McGill from
Goddard Space Flight Center, is a lidar designed to provide
information on cloud and aerosol properties. It will be applied to
atmospheric research, climate change studies, and hurricane
surveillance and study. Sigma collaborated with Northrop Grumman's
Integrated Systems Division for aircraft integration.
"This instrument enables NASA and the Nation to have a unique
capability for atmospheric research, particularly as related to
cloud-climate feedback and aerosol-cloud interactions. The Global Hawk
platform is capable of sustained high-altitude operation, with
potential to circumnavigate the globe on a single flight. Because it
is unmanned, the Global Hawk can fly longer and can operate in regions
currently inaccessible to our airborne platforms, such as southern
oceans or Antarctica," said Dr. McGill.
A precursor instrument which has flown extensively in the ER-2 and
WB-57 NASA platforms was also built collaboratively by McGill's group
and Sigma, and received the Center of Excellence Award from NASA's
Goddard Space Flight Center.
"The long-duration flights possible with the Global Hawk platform
present unique challenges for science instrumentation. Sigma had the
opportunity to apply all its expertise in aerospace instrument
engineering in this project. We are grateful to be able to contribute
to this unique tool for atmospheric research," said Dr. J. Marcos
Sirota, President and CEO of Sigma. He adds, "We are currently working
with GSFC also on the first wind lidar for high altitude platforms.
Together, these two instruments would provide a singular capability
for hurricane path prediction."
About Sigma Space Corporation
Sigma Space is an industry leader in innovative instrumentation
for the scientific, military, and commercial communities. The company
specializes in aerospace optical instruments, miniature 3D lidar
imaging systems, leading edge pattern recognition research and custom
instrument solutions for harsh environments. Sigma provides also
consulting services to Government and commercial customers. More
information can be found at www.sigmaspace.com.
Information on the Global Hawk platform can be found at
www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/aircraft/GlobalHawk/index.html
Sigma Space Corp.
Dr. Marcos Sirota, 301-552-6300
Copyright Business Wire 2008
