DENVER – The Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is embarking on its largest procurement ever: the $19.6 billion Geostationary Prolonged Observations program.
The price range for the GeoXO program, authorised in December, covers six satellites, operations and assist extending from 2022 to 2052.
GeoXO is NOAA’s successor to the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite tv for pc-R collection. In contrast to the GOES-R constellation’s two-satellite structure, although, GeoXO consists of three satellites: one perched over the Jap United States, one other over the West and a 3rd within the center.
Whereas NOAA prepares to launch the ultimate satellite tv for pc within the GOES-R collection in 2024, the company is transferring full steam forward with the GeoXO. In December, the Commerce Division authorised baseline necessities, value and schedule for the GeoXO program, Pam Sullivan, GeoXO program director, mentioned Jan. 10 on the American Meteorological Society annual assembly right here.
Later this month, NOAA plans to award contracts for GeoXO imagers and start soliciting proposals for GeoXO sounders, Sullivan added.
Along with enhancing upon GOES-R’s seen and infrared imagery and lightning mapping capabilities, GeoXO satellites will present nighttime imagery, hyperspectral sounding and in depth data on ocean and atmospheric circumstances.
“Information from GeoXO will contribute to climate forecast fashions and drive short-term climate forecasts and extreme climate warnings,” NOAA mentioned in a information launch. “GeoXO will even detect and monitor environmental hazards like wildfires, smoke, mud, volcanic ash, drought, and flooding, offering superior warning to decision-makers.”
In contrast to in low Earth orbit the place it is smart to separate devices on smaller spacecraft and unfold out the constellation, an method generally known as disaggregation, the GeoXO program will proceed to group a number of devices collectively.
“Since you’re staring from geostationary orbit, there’s no level in having 10 satellites in the identical spot staring,” mentioned Steve Volz, NOAA assistant administrator for satellite tv for pc and data providers.
Previous to the Commerce Division’s approval of the GeoXO program to maneuver into its implementation part, NASA awarded contracts for GeoXO research. (NASA oversees GeoXO satellite tv for pc growth. NOAA supplies the funding, program administration and operations.)
Lockheed Martin and Maxar received $5 million contracts in July to outline the GeoXO spacecraft idea, mature associated applied sciences and make clear GeoXO satellite tv for pc efficiency, danger, value and schedule.
NASA awarded Ball Aerospace and Raytheon contracts in Could, every valued at about $5 million, to carry out definition-phase research of the GeoXO atmospheric composition instrument.
Ball Aerospace and L3Harris received NASA contracts in 2021 value roughly $8 million apiece to assist outline the GeoXO satellite tv for pc sounders.
Raytheon and L3Harris additionally received contracts in 2021 valued at about $6 million every to conduct research of the GeoXO imager.
NOAA launched the third of three satellites within the GOES-R collection in March 2022. That satellite tv for pc, which quickly moved into position as GOES West, is conserving faucets on the Western United States, Mexico, Central America and the Pacific Ocean.
