DRS to help map the stars

DRS Technologies Inc. won a contract to develop infrared sensor modules that will support the Wide-field Infrared Survey Experiment (WISE) mission of the NASA Medium Explorer program, DRS officials said.

The $5.4 million contract was awarded by the Space Dynamics Laboratory of the Utah State University Research Foundation in North Logan, Utah. The WISE program will provide a complete stellar infrared map that is more than 1,000 times more detailed than previous surveys.

DRS will design and deliver short wavelength infrared and very long wavelength infrared focal plane array sensor modules. The work will be done at DRS' Sensors & Targeting Systems unit in Cypress, Calif. DRS' headquarters are in Parsippany, N.J.

WISE is an unmanned satellite carrying an infrared-sensitive telescope that will capture images of the entire sky.

"Our sensors have a strong record of performance, operating on the most advanced satellite and space programs, and are a key component of the U.S. government space program," said Fred Marion, president of DRS's Surveillance & Reconnaissance Group.