Goodrich Optical Technology Enables First Viewing of Light From Planets Outside Our Solar System
Posted on: Monday, 12 March 2007, 12:00 CDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NASA's Spitzer Telescope recently utilized technology developed by Goodrich Corporation to capture enough light from planets outside our solar system to identify the molecular make-up of the planets' atmospheres. These findings could lead to the ability to detect possible life on the planets.
Goodrich's Electro-Optical Systems team, headquartered in Danbury, Conn., manufactured the beryllium optics and telescope structure for the Spitzer telescope.
"Our team is excited by this truly historic discovery, and is proud to have provided the optical technology used on the mission," stated Ken Luczaj, President of Goodrich's ISR division.
Goodrich has a long history in the design and fabrication of highly complex, lightweight space telescope systems including ongoing work for the Hubble Space Telescope, the optics for the world's highest resolution space- based, X-ray telescope -- the Chandra X-ray observatory -- and the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) on board the recently launched GOES-13 spacecraft.
The Spitzer Space Telescope (formerly known as "SIRTF" the Space Infrared Telescope Facility) was launched into an earth-trailing solar orbit in 2003. Its primary mission is to obtain images detecting infrared energy, or heat, radiated by objects in space. Extreme operating temperatures led to the design of an all beryllium telescope system. Goodrich's contribution included the design and manufacture of a primary mirror 0.8 meters in diameter, and a novel central telescope tower for the secondary mirror assembly support. Goodrich's primary mirror optics and structure weigh only 28 kg, enabling the observatory to carry more liquid helium coolant and therefore extend the mission life of the telescope.
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com/.
Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as "Goodrich Corporation" in this press release.
Goodrich Corporation; GR - Electronic Systems
CONTACT: Gail Warner, +1-704-423-7048, or Lisa Bottle, +1-704-423-7060,both of Goodrich Corporation
Web site: http://www.goodrich.com/
Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall
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