Insider Brief
- NASA has selected Lockheed Martin to build a lightning mapping instrument for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geostationary Extended Observations satellite program.
- This $297.1 million contract covers the development of two flight instruments, with options for two additional units.
- Lockheed Martin’s work will include 10 years of on-orbit operations and 5 years of on-orbit storage for each flight model, making this a 15-year effort for each satellite.
NASA has selected Lockheed Martin to build a lightning mapping instrument for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program as announced by NOAA. This $297.1 million contract covers the development of two flight instruments, with options for two additional units. Lockheed Martin’s work will include 10 years of on-orbit operations and 5 years of on-orbit storage for each flight model, making this a 15-year effort for each satellite. The work will take place at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Colorado and California, as well as at NASA’s Goddard and Kennedy Space Centers.
The GeoXO Lightning Mapper (LMX) will build on data collected by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites – R (GOES-R) series’ lightning mapper. LMX will detect, locate, and measure lightning flashes. This data will improve storm analysis, provide earlier warnings of severe weather, and help predict hazards like hurricanes, wildfires, and aviation risks. Additionally, the instrument will enhance forecasting in areas where traditional radar coverage is limited, such as oceans and remote regions.
Lockheed Martin will be responsible for designing, testing, and integrating the LMX, as well as supporting its launch and mission operations. NOAA and NASA are leading the GeoXO program, with NOAA managing operations and NASA developing instruments alongside commercial partners like Lockheed Martin.
The GeoXO satellite system will be a key tool for addressing future environmental challenges, offering advanced capabilities in weather, ocean, and climate monitoring. The mission aims to fill the gap left by the aging GOES-R series by the early 2030s, ensuring continuous coverage of vital Earth observations.
Image credit: NOAA
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