Harris Corp., an international communications and information technology company, successfully completed the first milestone in a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program that will process 40 times more data than is possible today, and deliver weather images to more than 10,000 direct users. The Systems Requirements Review of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite — Series R Ground Segment (GOES-R GS) program was completed recently in Melbourne, FL. The review ensures the system’s functional and performance requirements and its preliminary program plan satisfy the GOES-R mission.
The ground segment of the GOES-R program encompasses receiving and processing of satellite data, generating and distributing of products from satellite data, and command and control of operational satellites. Harris is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the 10-year, potential $736 M contract.
“This milestone establishes a common understanding of all of the requirements the GOES-R ground segment must meet during development, deployment and operation,” said Ray Thorpe, Vice President of GOES-R programs at Harris Government Communications Systems.
Today’s GOES satellites provide the images and time-lapse sequences familiar to most Americans in television weather forecasts. They are the primary tool used by NOAA to detect and track hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and other severe weather in the continental US and western hemisphere. The next-generation GOES-R system will provide significantly improved image resolution.