Speaker:
Dick Berryman

This program, originally launched in 1970, has been cloaked in secrecy until only recently. The primary mission of this system was the detection and reporting of ICBM launches from the USSR during the Cold War. Even though mission expectations have changed over the past 4 decades, the system has continued to perform flawlessly, in large part due to the infinite care and detail employed in manufacturing, assembly and preparations for launch, including critical cleaning and cleanliness maintenance of all thermal control surfaces.

Since DSP is an infrared system with a focal plane operating at cryogenic temperatures, pristine cleanliness of a variety of materials used as radiative surfaces is of paramount importance.

Come listen to Dick Berryman as he discusses the materials used, together with the methods developed not only to clean them, but also the exhaustive measures need to keep them clean prior to launch. Presentation will also contain video footage of launches and discuss how the system works.

Dick Berryman, a metallurgical engineer, graduated from the University of Washington in 1967, started his career as a Failure Analyst at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. Since that time, Dick has worked in various positions up until 1985 when he joined Aerojet Electro Systems, heading up the Materials and Processes Engineering Group. He is also Past Chairman of this Chapter (1976-77) and the Phoenix Chapter (1980-81)

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the DSP system, and what has gone into its development, and continued success.