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L3Harris completes PDR for key components of new Geostationary Meteorological Satellite

Artistic rendition of the Himawari-10 satellite on-orbit, courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric.

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of key components for the Japan Meteorological Agency’s (JMA) new geostationary meteorological satellite, Himawari-10, which Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will manufacture.

L3Harris Advanced Baseline Imager solutions will be aboard the Himawari-10 satellite.

The PDR confirms the baseline designs for the Himawari-10’s advanced imager and hyperspectral infrared sounder, instruments that will improve forecasts for typhoons and other extreme weather impacting Japan and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

The imager leverages L3Harris’ proven Advanced Baseline Imager technology and features tailored spectral bands designed to support Japan’s weather forecasting priorities as well as the advanced data and imagery needs of the international community. The sounder will gather three-dimensional measurements of atmospheric temperature and humidity for more accurate forecasts and warnings.

L3Harris received a five-year contract in 2023 to build and deliver the advanced imager and sounder for the satellite. 

“L3Harris is an industry-leading provider of precision satellite technology for our valued customers in Japan and around the globe,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “Our world-class weather instruments will assist JMA in their efforts to enhance real-time disaster monitoring and warning capabilities.”   

Of additional note, the L3Harris Technologies Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) was installed onboard NOAA’s newest weather satellite and captured its first image after being launched into space in late June of last year and that represented a significant milestone prior to reaching full, operational status. The new, full disk, GeoColor image was captured on August 30, 2024.

The ABI is the primary instrument for NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-19 (GOES-19), the fourth and final satellite in the GOES-R Series. ABI’s high-resolution imaging technology provides the ability to rapidly and accurately detect and track hazards including severe thunderstorms, wildfires and hurricanes.