Contract Calls For Two GOES-R Series Satellites, With Two
Options
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
announced Tuesday it has selected Lockheed Martin for award of a
contract to build the next-generation Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite R-Series, known as GOES-R, for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The basic contract is for two spacecraft, with two options each
providing for one additional spacecraft. The total estimated value
of the basic contract including options is $1.09 billion.
As ANN reported, Lockheed submitted its bid
for the contract in March.
Data from the GOES system provides accurate real-time weather
forecast and early warning products to the public and private
sectors. The GOES-R mission will improve forecasting quality and
timeliness generating significant economic benefits to the nation
in the areas of climate monitoring, ecosystems management, commerce
and transportation.
"We are proud to have been selected by NASA to provide this
vital environmental satellite system for our nation," said Joanne
Maguire, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Company. "GOES-R will expand capabilities for weather forecasting
that will help to better protect lives and property."
Lockheed Martin's GOES-R solution builds upon the renowned A2100
geosynchronous spacecraft bus and proven precision imaging
capabilities from previous remote sensing programs. The A2100
satellite fleet currently consists of 36 satellites and has
achieved an accumulated 200 years of successful in-orbit
operations.
"Our team is ready to move forward to design and field this
important national system," said Jim Crocker, vice president of
Sensing and Exploration Systems at Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Company. "We look forward to continuing our ongoing relationship
with NOAA and NASA including two previously awarded GOES-R
instruments - the Solar Ultra-Violet Imager and the Geostationary
Lightning Mapper."
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company has a long history of
developing highly reliable civil and military weather and
environmental satellite systems including Landsat, TIROS, Terra and
DMSP.
The Lockheed Martin GOES-R program office will be located at its
Space Systems Company facilities in Newtown, PA. While substantial
engineering and production effort will be conducted in Newtown, the
program will also leverage Space Systems Company capabilities
across the country including Denver, CO and Sunnyvale, CA.