The document describes various projects of the Beckman Instruments' Space Engineering Group, listed chronologically.

These projects were mostly contracted by United States government departments and agencies, although sometimes subcontracted through other companies. The projects included a wide range of instruments, often designed to operate in punishing conditions. Instruments were intended for use in manned and unmanned spacecraft, satellites, submarines, and in the field.

A September 30, 1977 memo written by John Burgess to Bill Gregory indicates that the list of historical milestones of the Advanced Technology Operations (Space Engineering Group) was compiled as directed in an August memo from Gregory. Burgess was a member of the Marketing Department.