On October 20, 2004, ITT Industries (ITT Aerospace/Communications) presented II-VI employees with an award to thank them for their work in support of the Cross Track Infrared Sounder Program (CrIS).

The CrIS provides improved measurements of the temperature and moisture profiles in the atmosphere and is one of the key components of the National Polarorbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). Forecasters use temperature and moisture sounding data in advanced numerical weather prediction models to improve both global and regional predictions of weather patterns, storm tracks, and precipitation. The current High-Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) instrument on POES provides about 20 infrared channels of information and is able to characterize atmospheric temperature profiles to an accuracy of 2 to 3 degrees Kelvin. Modern and future forecast models demand even higher accuracy.

The CrIS will provide over one thousand spectral channels of information in the infrared at an improved horizontal spatial resolution and be able to measure temperature profiles with improved vertical resolution to an accuracy approaching 1 degree Kelvin (the absolute temperature scale). This improved accuracy is needed for increasingly sophisticated forecast models.

ITT Industries, Inc., is a global engineering and manufacturing company and is a major supplier of sophisticated military defense systems, providing advanced technical and operational services to a broad range of government agencies.

Along with a plaque, II-VI employees were presented with a cake as a special thank you for their work. The plaque will be hung in the II-VI Lobby and the cake has already gone to a good home.