RTX's Blue Canyon Technologies selected by NASA to provide multiple spacecraft buses for PolSIR mission

Rhea-AI Summary

RTX's Blue Canyon Technologies has been chosen by NASA to build two 12U CubeSat buses for the PolSIR mission, which will study high-altitude ice clouds in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The mission aims to improve climate forecasts by observing the daily cycle of ice content in clouds using polarized submillimeter radiometers over two wavelengths. Blue Canyon will also handle mission operations services. This project builds on Blue Canyon's experience with weather monitoring missions like TEMPEST-D and TROPICS.

Positive

• Blue Canyon Technologies selected by NASA for the PolSIR mission indicates strong industry trust and collaboration.
• The project involves building two 12U CubeSat buses, showcasing Blue Canyon's technical capabilities.
• Mission aims to enhance climate forecasts, potentially increasing the significance and utility of the data collected.
• Blue Canyon will not only design and manufacture the bus platforms but also provide mission operations services, expanding their role in the mission.
• This project builds on Blue Canyon's successful heritage in weather monitoring missions such as TEMPEST-D and TROPICS.

Negative

• The press release does not mention any specific financial compensation or contract value, leaving financial benefits unclear.
• Potential risks associated with the failure of mission-critical components or delays in the PolSIR mission could impact Blue Canyon's reputation.

LAFAYETTE, Colo., June 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX's (NYSE: RTX) small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, Blue Canyon Technologies, was selected to build two 12U CubeSat buses for NASA's PolSIR mission, which will study ice clouds that form at high altitudes throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions. In addition to designing and manufacturing the bus platforms, Blue Canyon will also provide mission operations services.

The PolSIR instrument –Polarized Submillimeter Ice-cloud Radiometer– will observe the full diurnal cycle of high-altitude ice clouds to improve climate forecasts and provide climate models with important insights on how Earth's atmosphere will change in the future.

"Supporting this critical mission builds on our heritage of weather monitoring missions including TEMPEST-D and TROPICS," said Chris Winslett, general manager of Blue Canyon Technologies.

Each spacecraft will be equipped with radiometers that will observe the clouds' daily cycle of ice content through two separate wavelengths in two spectral bands and will fly in orbits separated by three to nine hours. Over time, these two instruments will observe the clouds' daily cycle of ice content.

NASA Goddard will provide the project management team that builds the two instruments for the Principal Investigator led mission from Vanderbilt University, and science operations will be conducted by the Space Science and Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  For more information on the PolSIR mission, visit vanderbilt.edu/polsir. 

About Blue Canyon Technologies  
Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), RTX's small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, offers a diverse portfolio of innovative, reliable, and affordable spacecraft and components that enable a broad range of missions and technological advancements for the new space economy. The company currently supports numerous unique missions with more than 140 cumulative spacecraft orders.  

About RTX 
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. 

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com 

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SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What role does Blue Canyon Technologies play in NASA's PolSIR mission?

Blue Canyon Technologies will design and build two 12U CubeSat buses and handle mission operations services for NASA's PolSIR mission.

What is the purpose of NASA's PolSIR mission?

The PolSIR mission aims to study high-altitude ice clouds in tropical and sub-tropical regions to improve climate forecasts.

What technology will be used in the PolSIR mission?

The mission will use polarized submillimeter radiometers on the CubeSat buses to observe the daily cycle of ice content in clouds.

What experience does Blue Canyon Technologies have in weather monitoring missions?

Blue Canyon Technologies has previously worked on weather monitoring missions like TEMPEST-D and TROPICS.

What are the potential risks for Blue Canyon Technologies in participating in the PolSIR mission?

Potential risks include mission-critical component failures or delays, which could impact Blue Canyon's reputation.