Technical Services - Winter 2009 - (Page 7)

ss NSROC team achieves technical excellence with July 14 test M ission 41.075, conducted July 14, was a launch designed to showcase, test and evaluate new sounding rocket capabilities and technologies. In just three months, a small team from TS NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract (NSROC) in Wallops Island, Va., successfully tested and integrated a payload for the Sub-TEC (Suborbital-Technology Experiment Center) launch. Instrumental to one of the experiments on board was Mark Peretich, a Virginia Tech senior who joined NSROC’s Attitude Control Systems (ACS) team as a co-op student in 2007. Peretich was a key player in the development of RTAS (Real Time Attitude Solutions), a system that collects data from a group of onboard sensor suites. Peretich’s software skills enabled a Gumstix microcomputer to provide independent and highly accurate angular measurements for solar vector and magnetic fields as well as ease data collection. The RTAS team included Peretich as primary software developer. Dave Jennings, senior ACS engineer, handled hardware and served as Peretich’s mentor and technician Pat McPhail managed integration. Together, they turned RTAS into one small but mighty system. RTAS, which was deemed a success following the launch, offers a new alternative to NASA scientists and investigators seeking low-cost flights. Compared to ACS systems like the GLN-MAC (Gimbal-mounted LN-200 with Sandia Miniature Airborne Computer), which measures internal payload activity with a high rate of accuracy and equally high cost, RTAS is a much better solution for budgetconscious missions. “We’re proud of the ninety students who have worked in our co-op and intern programs,” said TS Outreach Manager Jan Jackson. “Many have gone on to get advanced degrees; others are making significant contributions to the aerospace industry. Mark Peretich is among the best of the best!” Not only was the effort a great learning experience for Peretich, but the achievement will serve NASA, business, and the academic and scientific communities well for many years to come. TS 1 2 3 1 NSROC Mechanical Tech Clay Merscham prepares a rocket for a bend test. Photo by Mick Sharpe/NSROC. Electrical Engineers (EE) Danny Bowden and Travis Murray work with EE Technician Bernita Justice to check the schematics on a rocket headed for Alaska. Photo by Jan Jackson/NSROC. A test rocket shares the sky with a stunning Alaskan aurora during the 2007 Poker Campaign. Photo by Scott Hesh/NSROC. Mark Peretich, co-op student, and ACS Engineer Dave Jennings troubleshoot RTAS communications during integration. Photo courtesy of Berit Bland. 2 3 4 4 Northrop Grumman Technical Services 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technical Services - Winter 2009

Technical Services - Winter 2009 Contents President's Column New Business Growth TS Implements Improvements to USPS Equipment Security Services Award in Southwest Asia; TS Awarded Qatar Contract Livermore Operations Provide Major Support to NSTec NSROC Team Achieves Technical Excellence NG Board Visits Nevada Test Site Fort Irwin Gains Efficiencies Global Hawk Award Lake Charles Reaches Significant Milestone TS Continues Expanding Hunter UAV Support Operations Warner Robins Uses Technology to Increase Business U.K. AWACS Accident Data Recording Systems Upgrade TS Continues to Support Injured Warfighters TS Transforms Army Training; Secures Key DHS Contract TS Trainers Deliver New Military Intelligence Instruction I'm In! TS Supports Joint Training Media Operations; BCTC Trainers Prepare for Combat Ethics OpenLine Results and Poster Contest Winners; Safe Harbor Annual Recertification TS Optimizes Operations Through ISO 9001:2000 Certification

Technical Services - Winter 2009

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