EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 12, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company has shipped its Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor to Orbital Sciences' facilities in Dulles, Va., where it will be integrated with NASA's Glory spacecraft and readied for launch.

The space agency's Glory mission will be the first dedicated to understanding the effects of aerosols and solar variability on climate. As a primary sensor for the mission, the Raytheon unit is designed to measure with unprecedented accuracy the global distribution of natural and man-made aerosols. The sensor has passed tests that indicate it will meet expectations.

"The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor and the Glory mission serve an important purpose, one that will advance our understanding of the effect of aerosols on global warming and help us distinguish between natural and man-made aerosols," said Bill Hart, vice president for the company's Space Systems business. "The data we provide will allow U.S. policymakers to reach better-informed decisions with regard to human interaction with the environment."

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

    Contact:
    John Barksdale
    310.647.8224

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/

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