BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- All five of the complex and critical instruments that will deliver data for NOAA's next polar-orbiting weather satellite mission have been integrated by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. on the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) satellite.

The Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) was the final instrument to be integrated onto the JPSS-1 satellite, scheduled to launch in early 2017. The sounder will continue to provide the same high quality observations currently available from the NOAA/NASA Suomi NPP satellite and necessary to retrieve profiles of atmospheric temperature and moisture for civilian operational weather forecasting as well as continuity of these measurements for climate monitoring purposes.

"The infrastructure supporting weather, environmental and climate sciences is a critical national resource," said Rob Strain, Ball Aerospace president. "The robust delivery system provided by JPSS-1 is a result of effective partnerships and will ensure the continuity of weather and environmental observations that protect us from the potential loss of human life and property while advancing the national economy."

Like its predecessor, the Ball-built Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite, JPSS-1 hosts a total of five instruments. In addition to the ATMS, built by Northrop Grumman, instruments include the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (Harris Corporation), the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (Raytheon), the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (NASA Langley Research Center) and Ball's Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite-Nadir (OMPS). On orbit since 2011, the NOAA/NASA Suomi NPP satellite delivers operational high-quality atmospheric, oceanographic, and land surface data for the nation's operational weather mission. It also supports a wide range of environmental monitoring and prediction and contributes to NASA's study of Earth's climate.

Polar weather satellites contribute 85 percent of the data that goes into numerical weather prediction models. NOAA's JPSS-1 satellite will be responsible for delivering the primary data contribution from the afternoon orbit. Launch of the instrument-loaded orbiter will continue accurate/reliable weather forecasting and provide severe storm warnings days in advance that protect lives and property across our nation.

Under contract to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, Ball Aerospace is responsible for designing and building the JPSS-1 satellite, building the OMPS-Nadir instrument, integrating all instruments, and performing satellite-level testing and launch support. NOAA provides the funding, requirements, operations and science for JPSS and teams with NASA, which procures the flight segment and portions 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 15,000 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.

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SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.