Schafer Corporation forms commercial space situational awareness business unit

Schafer Corporation (“Schafer”) of Arlington, VA announced on May 27 that it has formed a Commercial Space Situational Awareness (CSSA) business unit to meet the growing need for technically accurate, timely and relevant information on the location of natural and manmade objects in orbit around the Earth. Schafer has appointed retired U.S Air Force Colonel Donald Greiman as vice president and general manager to lead this new segment.

Greiman and former astronaut and retired U.S Air Force Colonel Mark Brown have assembled a team of eight independent and highly-specialized aerospace and defense companies to complement Schafer’s historic expertise and investment in Space Situational Awareness (SSA). The CSSA business unit and its partners will provide comprehensive satellite coverage of space from more than 85 widely distributed positions through electro-optical systems, radio frequencies, and laser sensors, which monitor space objects from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geostationary orbit (GEO). The collective capabilities of this team will include highly accurate positioning determination systems, orbit predictions, robust analysis and common operational views, and actuarial data revealing insights about failure trends, risk assessments, and insurance claims dating back to 1957. Products and services will range from pre-mission planning and modelling to launch and orbit operations through end-of-life management of commercial satellites.

“I am excited to lead this exceptional team of industry experts on our mission to meet the needs of the rapidly growing commercial space satellites segment,” said Greiman. “Our primary objective is to deliver affordable, high-quality insight and analysis to our valued customers through innovative and trusted technology. I look forward to working alongside each CSSA team member as we continue to innovate and provide solutions to the aerospace industry.”

“I am proud to introduce the newly established CSSA business unit,” said Michael Griffin, chairman and CEO of Schafer Corporation. “Under Don’s leadership, the CSSA business unit will allow Schafer to continue supporting its customers in meeting and exceeding their goals of gaining greater insight into space and the behavior of space objects. We remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence and providing quality services to our aerospace, national security and private sector customers.”

Greiman joins Schafer with nearly 40 years of U.S. military and defense industry experience, including a culminating assignment as vice commander of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. He has also held positions of leadership for industry teams of scientists, engineers, and technologists that have delivered innovative R&D, systems engineering, and advanced analytics.

Former NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin and former Chief Information Officer of the United States Air Force and the Department of Energy John Gilligan will also add their specific space and cyber expertise to the CSSA business unit.

Source: Schafer Corporation