EL SEGUNDO, Calif.,
Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $564 million contract modification award from
NASA for two satellite sensors as part of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System
(JPSS) Polar Follow-On missions.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors
are for two satellites in the series, Polar Follow-On /JPSS-3 and
JPSS-4. These are the fourth and fifth VIIRS units Raytheon has
been contracted to build.
The first Raytheon-built VIIRS instrument is currently flying on
the NOAA/NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite
launched in 2011. The company has delivered a second VIIRS sensor
for JPSS-1, scheduled for launch in 2017 and is currently building
a third VIIRS unit for JPSS-2, planned for launch in 2021.
VIIRS collects imagery in 22 bands of light – from visible to
infrared – allowing scientists to observe emerging weather and
climate patterns in unprecedented detail. The data is also used for
planning military operations.
"The meteorology community has expressed overwhelmingly positive
feedback for VIIRS since its launch in 2011," said Robert Curbeam, vice president and deputy of
Space Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business.
"This technology gives weather forecasters the data they need to
make accurate predictions and help individuals and communities
better prepare for severe weather events."
JPSS is a collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA that
ensures continuity of observational data at the quality levels
needed to sustain current weather forecasts. NOAA is responsible
for managing and operating the JPSS satellites. NASA, funded by
NOAA, is responsible for developing and building the JPSS
instruments, spacecraft, launch services and major components of
the ground segment.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees
worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in
defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a
history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides
state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration,
capabilities in C5I (command, control, communications, computing,
cyber and intelligence), sensing, effects and mission support
services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. visit us at www.raytheon.com
andfollow us on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
John
Barksdale
+1.310.658.9547
SASPR@Raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company