Lockheed Martin to Develop GeoXO Weather Satellite Constellation

Written by Copernical Team Sunday, 23 June 2024 09:28

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 21, 2024

NASA has selected Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to develop and build the nation's next generation weather satellite constellation, Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO), for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The contract includes three spacecraft with options for four more, totaling an estimated $2.27 billion. The GeoXO mission will extend the capabilities of

Lockheed Martin to Develop GeoXO Weather Satellite Constellation
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 21, 2024

NASA has selected Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to develop and build the nation's next generation weather satellite constellation, Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO), for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The contract includes three spacecraft with options for four more, totaling an estimated $2.27 billion. The GeoXO mission will extend the capabilities of the existing GOES-R Series geostationary satellites, adding new observations of oceans and air pollution. This will improve weather forecasting and address emerging environmental issues. GeoXO and the nation's weather satellites are critical for national resilience.

"Our team is excited and ready to move forward to design and field this critical national capability," said Kyle Griffin, vice president and general manager of Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin.

"Our GeoXO design draws heavily from what we've learned with GOES-R spacecraft over the last 15 years, while incorporating new, digital technologies not only onboard the vehicles but in the design and development of this powerful, weather-monitoring platform of the future."

GeoXO will enhance the nation's geostationary weather satellite system, offering better data on severe weather, marine ecosystems, air quality, and climate change. New instruments will provide the first geostationary observations of coastal ecosystems, near real-time hyperspectral sounding, enhanced lightning observations, and continental U.S. air quality monitoring.

The first GeoXO launch is planned for the early 2030s, continuing NOAA's geostationary observations through the late 2050s. The GeoXO spacecraft will use Lockheed Martin's LM2100 satellite bus, featuring SmartSat technology for adaptable environmental data collection.