The California Space Authority presented the Defense Support Program (DSP) with the SpotBeam Award for National Security Space, honoring DSP's nearly 40 years of service to the nation. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) built and integrated the DSP spacecraft at its Redondo Beach, California, space systems manufacturing facility; the company's facility in Azusa, California, built the infrared sensors.

Presenting the award November 18 in Los Angeles, the Space Authority cited DSP's long history of achievement, program management excellence and execution provided by the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, and all 23 satellites built by Northrop Grumman. DSP has served the nation continuously since becoming operational in the early 1970s, monitoring the globe and detecting, characterizing and reporting on ballistic missile. The SpotBeam award recognizes California space stakeholders who make extraordinary contributions to California's leadership in the U.S. and international space arenas.