ITT Receiver to Play Critical Role in Global Precipitation Measurement

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT - News) has successfully completed the Critical Design Review for the Global Precipitation Measurement-Microwave Imager (GMI) Receiver Subsystem with Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The Critical Design Review is a multi-disciplined technical review to ensure the system can proceed into system fabrication. With this achievement, ITT can begin manufacture of the first flight unit.
Global Precipitation Measurement is a joint effort between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to study regional and global precipitation, including rain, snow, and ice. This space-based remote sensing instrument will improve ongoing effort to predict climate, improve accuracy of weather and precipitation forecast, and provide more frequent and complete sampling of the earth’s precipitation.
“With fresh water becoming an ever more vital global resource, managing global water supplies will demand increasingly accurate real-time measurement of precipitation,” said Chris Bernhardt, president of ITT’s Electronic Systems business. “We’re pleased to get the go-ahead to begin assembly of this key component of the GPM mission.”
During the design phase, an Engineering Model Unit (EMU) was tested in late 2008, which demonstrated compliance to the technical requirements. The first flight unit is scheduled for delivery in April 2010, with the launch of the GPM Core Satellite scheduled for June 2013.
ITT’s Electronic Systems business is one of the world’s leading suppliers of electronic warfare technology for mission success and survivability. Key technologies include integrated EW systems for self-protection, reconnaissance and surveillance, force protection, mine defense, naval command/sonar applications, and submarine communication and tracking. In addition, ITT produces aircraft armament suspension/release equipment; electronic weapons interface systems, and advanced composite structures and subsystems, as well as Gilfillan precision landing and air traffic systems.
About ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2008 sales of $11.7 billion. www.itt.com