NASA has picked 11 science proposals, including one involving Ball Aerospace & Technologies, to evaluate as potential future science missions.
Called FINESSE (Fast INfrared Exoplanet Spectroscopy Survey Explorer), the proposal from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is to use a space telescope to survey planets orbiting other stars. It carries a $1 million award for an 11-month mission concept study.
Bill Purcell, Ball’s advanced-systems manager, said about a dozen core team members and several dozen other support people will work out details of the spacecraft at the aerospace com- pany’s Boulder location.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, which is headquartered in south Jefferson County, also is involved with two of the proposals, although the work will be done at the division’s Sunnyvale, Calif., facility. Ann Schrader, The Denver Post
