Aerospace Among Recipients of
David Packard Excellence Award

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (6/18/02) -- Aerospace is a key member of the government-contractor team that received the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award in ceremonies at the Pentagon.

The award was presented to the National Reconnaissance Office's Geosynchronous Lightweight Technology Experiment (GeoLITE) program office by Pete Aldridge, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics.

The GeoLITE team was cited for placing experimental and operational payloads on the same satellite as a cost-effective way of delivering both capabilities.

Aerospace contributed engineering expertise to help ensure that the spacecraft would support three payloads for a nine-year mission. Aerospace team members were credited with uncovering and helping to resolve technical issues that may have been costprohibitive or affected the long-term success of the program.

GeoLITE is an advanced program that could revolutionize space-based communications by using laser communications technologies to increase the amount of data provided to multiple users. The satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 18, 2001.

The Packard Award is named for the late David Packard, a former deputy secretary of defense and co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Co.