Aug 27, 2008

Getting a Handle on Global Warming

Much has been said and written about global warming. Some claim it is an imminent catastrophe caused by mankind; others say it is a part of naturally occurring cycles that are largely determined by solar activity. Each side needs accurate data to make its case, and one way to get that is via Earth observation satellites. To highlight that fact, Northrop Grumman Corp. Chairman and CEO Ronald D. Sugar recently welcomed a number of dignitaries to its Space Technology sector facility in Redondo Beach, Calif.

“There are three key approaches to addressing climate change: adaptation, mitigation and monitoring,” said Alexis Livanos, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector, to the gathering. “We have the technology to monitor the Earth from space, which -- in conjunction with observations from air, land and ocean sources -- provides a comprehensive picture that is truly global.”

There are nearly 100 Earth observation satellites on orbit. Some provide data on tomorrow's weather and others track long-term environmental trends. The satellites produce data that is essential to scientists, the military and industries that are directly and indirectly affected by weather and climate. Those industries, which make up one-third of the nation's gross domestic product, include agriculture, construction, energy distribution, outdoor recreation, finance and insurance, services, retail and wholesale trade and manufacturing. The bowling industry is said to be largely unaffected.

Northrop Grumman has a long heritage building Earth-observing satellites and sensors, starting with Explorer VI, the first satellite to take a picture of the Earth from space. More recently, it built the Aqua and Aura Earth-observation satellites for NASA and is currently building the next-generation low-Earth orbit operational satellite system. In a demonstration of its commitment to Earth observation systems, the company named its satellite manufacturing facility the “Environmental Center for Observation Systems” (ECOS). The name was submitted by an employee in a contest and the acronym, ECOS, means home or household in Greek.