Lockheed Martin has delivered to Northrop Grumman a pointing and control assembly system for the second geosynchronous orbit satellite in the Space-Based Infrared System constellation, according to a company release. Northrop, which now can begin integrating the PCA into the GEO-2 payload, also is working on assembly of GEO-1. Lockheed expects Northrop to deliver GEO-1 in mid-2007, whereupon Lockheed will perform final assembly and checkout in preparation for launch in late 2008.
As Hurricane Melissa hammers the Caribbean, the U.S. Air Force’s “Hurricane Hunters” are busy flying into the massive Category 4 storm to collect atmospheric data—with one experiencing greater than expected turbulence Oct. 28.
