#United States #NASA #Florida #BAE Systems #NOAA

BAE Systems Delivers Satellites for NASA and NOAA

BAE Systems has successfully completed the delivery of two crucial spacecraft, the NOAA's Space Weather Follow On – L1 (SWFO-L1) and NASA's Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, from its facility in Boulder, Colorado to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. These satellites are set to launch this fall, aimed at enhancing our understanding of space weather and its effects on Earth.

Both satellites represent a significant advancement in space exploration and environmental monitoring. The SWFO-L1 satellite will provide vital data by tracking coronal mass ejections and measuring solar winds, which can be critical in predicting space weather events that may disrupt infrastructure both on Earth and in outer space.

The Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, on the other hand, will focus on the Sun’s influence on Earth’s upper atmosphere, specifically during phases of minimal and intense solar activity. This dual approach will allow scientists to better comprehend how variations in solar energy impact our planet’s atmosphere and, consequently, its environment.

Bonnie Patterson, the Vice President and General Manager of Civil Space for BAE Systems, stated, "This new generation of satellites will extend our knowledge of the Sun and its impacts on Earth. The successful delivery of the SWFO-L1 and Carruthers Geocorona Observatory satellites marks a new era of discovery and space weather data that holds exciting promise, and we are proud to support these missions."

BAE Systems utilized its heritage Evolve spacecraft platform to design and construct both satellites. This cutting-edge design features a shared bus and standardized payload interfaces, which help in reducing costs while minimizing delivery times. The company has also trained the flight operations teams and will provide ongoing support during the missions.

The SWFO-L1 mission is instrumental in offering continuous observations and early warnings of potentially damaging space weather events. With its ability to detect solar winds and coronal mass ejections, it aims to safeguard vital infrastructure used by both space agencies and terrestrial systems.

Collaborating institutions include the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where Dr. Lara Waldrop is the principal investigator for the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory. In partnership with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, this team is excited to unravel new insights into solar phenomena and their subsequent effects on Earth’s atmosphere.

BAE Systems continues its steadfast support for NASA and NOAA missions, adding to its portfolio, which includes contributions to significant projects such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, and NOAA satellites.

As these two satellites prepare for launch alongside the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), their missions hold promise not only for scientific discovery but also for improving our ability to monitor and respond to the complexities of space weather. The partnership reflects BAE Systems' commitment to enhancing the capabilities of NASA and NOAA through innovative technology and scientific collaboration.

For further information, contact:
Brian Rantala, BAE Systems
Mobile: 720-995-8253
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.baesystems.com/en-us

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming launch and the groundbreaking research these satellites are set to facilitate.