Harris Keeps On GOES’ing

Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has successfully completed the first milestone in a NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program that will process 40 times more data than is possible today, and deliver weather images to more than 10,000 direct users. The Systems Requirements Review of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite — Series R Ground Segment (GOES-R GS) program was completed recently in Melbourne, Florida. The review ensures the system’s functional and performance requirements and its preliminary program plan satisfy the GOES-R mission. The ground segment of the GOES-R program encompasses receiving and processing of satellite data, generating and distributing of products from satellite data, and command and control of operational satellites. Harris is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the 10-year, potential US$736 million contract.


Today’s GOES satellites provide the images and time-lapse sequences familiar to most Americans in television weather forecasts. They are the primary tool used by NOAA to detect and track hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and other severe weather in the continental U.S. and western hemisphere. The nexgen GOES-R system will provide significantly improved image resolution. It will increase the rate of imagery coverage of earth surfaces from every 30 minutes to every five minutes in normal conditions — and every 30 seconds during severe weather events.