Harris Corp. installs weather product generation system for GOES-R Series satellites

Harris Corp. has installed and integrated the initial weather product applications onto the previously delivered ground segment hardware for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite — R (GOES-R) Series program.

This major upgrade provides the core weather product generation and distribution capabilities vital for improved accuracy in weather forecasting. The team has also demonstrated transfer of these products to the NOAA National Weather Service’s (NWS) Advanced Weather Information Processing System.

“With GOES-R, citizens will have much more detailed information about extreme weather, delivered at a speed that gives them more time to protect themselves and their families.”

This release also provides the GOES-Rebroadcast capability, which will broadcast full resolution, near-real-time products to remote users throughout the Western Hemisphere after the GOES-R satellite completes post launch test and checkout activities. As part of the ongoing pre-launch test activities, Harris has successfully demonstrated the ability to produce products in five minutes versus the current GOES operational capability of 30 minutes.

This capability will provide NWS weather forecasters critical input to speed forecasts and warnings for extreme weather when the new instruments are brought on line following the GOES-R launch. Harris has also delivered an early release of the remaining sensor software to generate lightning and space weather products.

“The ability to generate and seamlessly distribute vital weather products represents a major milestone in the progress of the GOES-R Ground Segment program,” said Romy Olaisen, vice president, Civil Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems. “With GOES-R, citizens will have much more detailed information about extreme weather, delivered at a speed that gives them more time to protect themselves and their families.”

Harris is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the GOES-R Ground Segment contract.