PALO ALTO, Calif. - Lockheed Martin has delivered a new solar analysis payload that will help scientists measure and forecast space weather, which can damage satellites, electrical grids and communications systems on Earth. The Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) instrument was integrated with the first flight vehicle of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, known as GOES-R.
SUVI will provide the required solar observational capabilities that enable NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo., to monitor solar activity and to issue accurate, real-time alerts when space weather could affect the performance and reliability of technological systems in space or on the ground through the enhanced detection of coronal holes, solar flares and coronal mass ejections, as well as improved geomagnetic storm and power blackout forecasts.
Space weather can disrupt satellite operations, communications, navigation, and the distribution of electricity through power grids. Timely forecasts of severe space weather events would help satellite operators and electrical grid technicians mitigate potential damage to such systems.
NASA and the NOAA continue to make progress toward a 2015 launch of the GOES-R satellite. In April 2012, NASA signed a launch contract with ULA to launch the satellite in 2015. A month later, the satellite completed its critical design review.
It is unlikely that any new large-scale meteorological satellite development programs will begin during the next decade due to the tight budget environment and expense of GOES-R, as well as the polar-orbiting JPSS program. Therefore, Forecast International expects that a contract option for two additional GOES satellites with Lockheed Martin will be exercised. Four GOES-R series satellites will be produced during the forecast period. Replacements for these satellites will likely not be needed for quite some time.
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