RTX Provides Blue Canyon Satellites for NASA Polar Climate Mission
June 7, 2024 | RTXEstimated reading time: Less than a minute

RTX's small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, Blue Canyon Technologies, has established communication with both CubeSats for the NASA PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far InfraRed Experiment) mission. The PREFIRE mission will measure the amount of heat Earth emits into space from the Arctic and Antarctica.
Blue Canyon provided two heritage 6U CubeSats for the mission, which is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the agency's Science Mission Directorate. Analysis of PREFIRE's measurements will inform climate and ice models, helping to improve projections of how a warming world will affect sea ice loss, ice sheet melt and sea level rise.
"Improving climate models can provide more accurate projections on the impacts of storm severity and frequency, as well as coastal erosion and flooding," said Chris Winslett, general manager for Blue Canyon Technologies.
The PREFIRE project was jointly developed by NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. JPL provided the thermal infrared spectrometer payload, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will process the data collected by the instruments.
Suggested Items
Roadmapping Sustainability: Paving the way for Eco-friendly Electronics
03/10/2025 | iNEMIIn light of ongoing climate challenges, the electronics industry is poised for a transformative shift driven by heightened consumer and corporate awareness of sustainable practices and circularity. iNEMI (International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative) enlisted the help of the electronics industry to roadmap that transformation in electronics manufacturing. This article provides an overview of the resulting sustainable electronics roadmap and how to get involved.
Lockheed Martin's LM 400 Tech Demo to Prove Out Design and Risk Reduction Efforts
03/06/2025 | Lockheed MartinThe latest self-funded technology demonstration from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is ready to launch no earlier than March 15.
Imagine the Possibilities: Tech Conference 2025
03/05/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007As we approach the 25th anniversary of IPC APEX EXPO, excitement buzzes around the annual Technical Program. Coming off a tremendously successful program in 2024—co-hosted with ECWC16 and with a significant global presence—organizers wanted to match that same level of engagement. In this interview, Stan Rak of SF Rak Company and Udo Welzel of Robert Bosch Mobility Electronics, co-chairs of the Technical Program Committee (TPC), highlight efforts of the volunteer committee to bring another quality technical program to life.
Semiconductor Climate Consortium Announces Key 2025 Initiatives to Accelerate
03/04/2025 | SEMIThe Semiconductor Climate Consortium (SCC) unveiled its four key initiatives for 2025, marking a significant step forward in advancing the industry’s commitment to decarbonization and transparency.
Northrop Grumman Honors Partners for Continued Manufacturing and Supplier Excellence
03/04/2025 | Northrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman Corporation recognized over 50 suppliers for their outstanding contributions and efforts in 2024. The company’s annual Supplier Excellence Awards celebrate the trusted supplier partnerships that support Northrop Grumman’s mission and values.