BOULDER, Colo., April 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Aerospace has begun environmental testing on the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1) satellite. JPSS-1 will represent significant technological and scientific advancements in severe weather prediction and environmental monitoring and will further weather, climate, environmental and oceanographic science.

Ball Aerospace is responsible for designing and building the JPSS-1 spacecraft, the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite-Nadir instrument, the integration of all instruments and performing satellite-level testing and launch support, under a procurement contract to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland.

Environmental testing of the spacecraft and integrated instruments subjects the system to the simulated environments of launch and space to help certify mission readiness. The testing is underway in Ball's Fisher Complex, Boulder, Colorado, in the same facility where the spacecraft was built and integrated. Following acoustic, vibration, and electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility testing, the satellite will undergo thermal vacuum testing from July through early fall. The thermal vacuum testing will expose the satellite and its five instruments to the extreme temperatures experienced in space. A pre-shipment review is scheduled to be held in the fall prior to the spacecraft's shipment to California's Vandenberg Air Force Base for its planned early 2017 launch.

"Heading into the final series of environmental tests marks completion of the development and integration phase, on time and on schedule," said Jim Oschmann, vice president and general manager for Ball's Civil Space business unit.  "We look forward to having the next polar-orbiting satellite on-orbit to ensure continuous coverage of precise and timely weather information."

Like its predecessor, the Ball-built Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite, JPSS-1 hosts five instruments. They are:

• Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder - Northrop Grumman
• Cross-track Infrared Sounder - Harris Corporation
• Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite - Raytheon
• Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System – NASA's Langley Research Center
• Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite-Nadir – Ball Aerospace

The JPSS missions are funded by NOAA to provide global environmental data in low Earth polar orbit. NASA is the acquisition agent for the flight systems, launch services, and components of the ground segment.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions for national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. Ball continues to invest and innovate in affordable, high resolution imaging systems, contributing to the needs of civil, military and commercial customers.  For more information, visit http://www.ballaerospace.com/.

Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food 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 15,200 people worldwide and reported 2015 sales of $8.0 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. 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 risks and uncertainties 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. Factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; 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 the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; interest rates affecting our debt; and successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures, including, with respect to the proposed Rexam PLC acquisition, the effect of the announcement of the acquisition on our business relationships, operating results and business generally; the occurrence of any event or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of our definitive agreement with Rexam PLC in respect of the acquisition; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us related to the definitive agreement with Rexam PLC; and the failure to satisfy conditions to completion of the acquisition of Rexam PLC, including the receipt of all regulatory approvals.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160422/358733

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130108/LA39163LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ball-aerospace-begins-environmental-testing-for-noaas-joint-polar-satellite-system-1-satellite-300255928.html

SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.