Harris Helps Prepare NOAA GOES-R Extreme Weather Satellite

International communications and information technology company, Harris Corporation, has delivered a system that will help prepare National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite operators for the new Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite – R (GOES-R) Series weather satellites, a primary tool for detecting and tracking hurricanes and severe weather.

The new Mission Management Capability enables operators to prepare ground-based satellite command and control operations and processes more than two years ahead of the launch of the first GOES-R satellite. A NOAA and NASA team also will use the Harris system to test the command and control procedures with the satellite as it is assembled by mission partner Lockheed Martin.

The Harris system consists of hardware, software, and a graphical user interface; the Harris OS/COMET® telemetry, tracking, and command software; as well as tools for customizing mission operations.

“This is a critical milestone in a program that will rely on the effectiveness of a proven ground system and skilled satellite operators to prepare and test procedures that will be used during launch and satellite operations,” said Romy Olaisen, vice president, Civil Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems. “This system will allow NOAA satellite operators to become familiar with how to effectively manage the satellites using new command and control interfaces and the Harris OS/COMET® tool suite.”

Harris is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the contract to produce the GOES-R Ground Segment, which will process approximately 40 times more data than is possible today, and deliver weather products to NOAA’s National Weather Service and more than 10,000 other direct users. GOES-R will be a primary tool for detecting and tracking hurricanes and severe weather.