VANDENBERG AFB, Calif., Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) technology reached orbit following today's successful launch of NASA's NPOESS Preparatory Project spacecraft. NPP is a polar-orbiting satellite that will function as a bridge between the current NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) and a new constellation of weather monitoring spacecraft known as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS).

NOAA weather satellites are the backbone of life-saving weather forecasts and advance hazardous outlooks relied upon by individuals, businesses, emergency responders and the military every day. This year alone there have been 10 disasters surpassing $1 billion each, which has made the demand for advanced weather data even greater. Further, because of demographic trends and population growth, the United States may be even more vulnerable to extreme weather events in the future. Raytheon provides the technology, from space to ground, to support NOAA's important weather mission.

At the heart of JPSS is an advanced weather and climate monitoring instrument responsible for nearly two-thirds of the spacecraft's data collection requirements. The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is the primary instrument responsible for global imagery, land and sea surface temperature monitoring, cloud characterization and other key environmental data.

On the ground, a new Common Ground System built by Raytheon will feature a flexible design to manage nearly a terabyte of information daily to support enhanced environmental data records designed to meet NOAA's and the U.S. Air Force Weather Agency's critical weather forecasting responsibilities.  

Supported by Raytheon technology in space and on the ground, JPSS will provide important advancements in weather forecasting, including:

• Better image resolution for greater detail across images;
• Improved nighttime monitoring of weather conditions;
• Faster data delivery to U.S. weather stations (by up to 75 percent); and
• Ability to handle 100 times the data of the current system, for more accurate weather and climate modeling.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 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 89 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 72,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

Media Contact
Jared Adams
571.250.2422
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SOURCE Raytheon Company