MELBOURNE, Fla. - L3Harris Technologies successfully completed the system Critical Design Review (CDR) of the next-generation imager for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) program, which will deliver more detailed data to forecasters and provide more advance warning of severe weather. This development milestone validates the imager’s detailed design and signals its readiness for system-level production.

The L3Harris GeoXO Imager (GXI) is an advanced instrument that will measure infrared wavelengths, in addition to capturing data across the visible spectrum. This enhancement will provide detailed data regarding atmospheric conditions at higher resolution than today’s weather satellites. Sophisticated forecasting models rely on this data to monitor weather, ocean and environmental conditions and accurately predict severe storms.

The GeoXO system is important for ensuring continued delivery of timely, detailed and accurate weather information for the entire Western Hemisphere, and is designed to enhance the capabilities of the GOES-R series of satellites in operation today. When it enters service in the early 2030s, GeoXO will deliver better short-term forecasting capabilities and provide even more advance warning of severe weather. GeoXO will also more precisely detect and monitor hazardous conditions such as wildfires, smoke, drought and flooding in order to support public warning systems.

The development of this mission-critical weather sensor technology is being undertaken as part of a contract with NASA, in support of NOAA. The GOES-R series of satellites includes L3Harris’ Advanced Baseline Imager, GOES-R Ground System and spacecraft propulsion systems.

Source: L3Harris
Associated URL: https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/editorial/2025/11/l3harris-next-generation-weather-imager-ready-deliver-life-saving

BREMEN, Germany - OHB System AG has been awarded a contract to supply three subsystems for the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element (LDE, one of the 3 components of ESA’s Argonaut mission). The official contract signing with prime contractor Thales Alenia Space took place today at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne.

Through the Argonaut program, ESA is working to establish reliable and independent European access to the Moon, enabling regular missions to deliver cargo, scientific instruments, and infrastructure to the lunar surface.

The Argonaut lander has a modular design and consists of three main elements: the Lunar Descent Element (LDE), the Cargo Platform Element (CPE), and the payload. The LDE is the actual landing module and has the function of safely bringing the payload to the lunar surface.

As part of the core industrial team led by Thales Alenia Space in Italy, OHB will supply the following subsystems for the LDE:

Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS): This subsystem generates, stores, and distributes electrical power. Key components include solar panels with a peak output of 900 watts, a 150-volt battery, and a distribution unit.

Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Subsystem (TT&C): The TT&C subsystem serves as the vital communication interface with Earth. Featuring a dual-band architecture (X-band and S-band), it enables real-time video transmission of the lunar landing.

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Subsystem (GNC): The GNC subsystem ensures the lander navigates and lands safely. Through innovative algorithms that integrate lunar terrain data and autonomously detect hazards, it guarantees precise landings, from rocket separation to touchdown.

Overall, the Argonaut lander has a height of six meters, a diameter of 4.5 meters, and a launch mass of nearly 10 tons. It can carry roughly 1.5 tons of payload to the lunar surface and is designed to land with an accuracy of at least 250 meters, with a target landing site near the Moon's south pole. The lander is built to survive the extreme conditions of lunar nights, with temperatures as low as -150°C and complete darkness for up to 14 days.

The first lander is scheduled to launch in 2030 aboard an Ariane 6.4 rocket. After approximately seven days in transit, the lander will enter a low lunar orbit, where it will remain for up to 45 days before initiating its descent and landing.

Source: OHB
Associated URL: https://www.ohb.de/en/news/europe-to-the-moon-ohb-to-supply-subsystems-for-european-lunar-lander-argonaut

MUSCAT - Space Communication Technologies (SCT), Oman’s national satellite operator, has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space for OmanSat-1 a state-of-the-art fully reconfigurable high throughput OneSat telecommunications satellite and associated system. SCT is the lead center for Oman’s National Satellite Programme, building satellite communications infrastructure to create capabilities to serve both the public and private sectors.

The fully digital, in-orbit reconfigurable OmanSat-1 will deliver high Ka-band capacity primarily over Oman including its economic waters and the whole of the Middle East, East Africa and Asia. The fully reconfigurable design will allow SCT to meet customer needs for high-throughput services including Government and private networks, oil and gas, banking, broadband, maritime and aero connectivity. SCT aims to be one of the major players in those markets.

Airbus will deliver an end-to-end fully integrated solution, including design and manufacture of the satellite, highly capable ground segment software components as well as the launch service. This is the 10th satellite under contract for Airbus’ OneSat spacecraft product line.

Airbus OneSats can be fully reconfigured while in orbit, capable of adjusting their coverage, capacity and frequency ‘on the fly’ to meet evolving mission scenarios. It builds on the heritage of Airbus’ ultra-reliable Eurostar geostationary telecommunications satellites and the company’s constellation expertise with OneWeb. Development of the OneSat program is supported by ESA, as well as the French Space Agency (CNES), the UK Space Agency, the German Space Agency (DLR) and Spain Space Agency (AEE).

Source: Airbus
Associated URL: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-airbus-built-onesat-selected-for-the-first-omani-satellite