ACX is the second instrument BAE Systems has been contracted
to develop for the GeoXO mission to support environmental
monitoring
BROOMFIELD, Colo., May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems (LON: BA) was selected by NASA to
develop the Atmospheric Composition instrument (ACX) that will fly
on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)
Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite
constellation.
"The ACX instrument will deliver robust,
practical benefits for the science and operational user communities
and public"
GeoXO is a constellation of three satellites meant to expand on
Earth observations made by its predecessor, NOAA's current
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R series
(GOES-R). The mission will continue to gather data in support of
key NOAA focus areas, such as lightning mapping and visible and
infrared imagery for weather monitoring. However, GeoXO will also
provide novel, high-priority capabilities such as atmospheric
composition, infrared sounding and ocean color observations to
enhance forecasts and science benefits.
The BAE Systems-developed ACX instrument is a hyperspectral
imager that will take hourly air quality measurements across a
spectrum of ultraviolet (UV) to visible (VIS) light. The
high-spatial and temporal resolution measurements enable
observations of rapidly changing air quality during the day,
improving air quality forecasts.
"The ACX instrument will deliver robust, practical benefits for
the science and operational user communities, as well as the public
at large," said Dr. Alberto Conti,
vice president and general manager of Civil Space for BAE Systems
Space & Mission Systems. "Not only will this instrument provide
cutting-edge measurements of air quality, but it will also improve
weather forecasts, help pilots avoid dangerous situations, warn
hospitals of imminent air quality issues, and protect the lasting
health and economic stability of our communities."
In addition to its critical role as an operational observational
asset for NOAA, ACX will serve as a valuable tool in several
important research areas. The instrument will accurately measure
emissions and movement of aerosol particles, nitrogen dioxide,
formaldehyde, glyoxal, sulfur dioxide and ozone. Combining the
hyperspectral capabilities of ACX with the GeoXO Imager (GXI) and
infrared sounder (GXS) instruments will enhance weather product
data available to NOAA.
The ACX instrument builds on BAE Systems experience developing
innovative atmospheric monitoring capabilities. South Korea's Geostationary Environment
Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) and NASA's Tropospheric Emissions:
Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instruments — both developed by BAE
Systems — are currently the only UV/VIS hyperspectral imagers in
geostationary orbit. Once launched, ACX will be part of an
envisioned "geostationary ring" of satellites providing air quality
measurements throughout greater North
America, Asia, Europe, and North
Africa.
In addition to ACX, BAE Systems was also selected to build the
GeoXO Sounder (GXS) instrument, which will measure atmospheric
moisture, winds, and temperature to enhance weather prediction
models and short-term severe weather forecasting among other
applications. Building multiple instruments for GeoXO will allow
BAE Systems teams to collaborate across programs and achieve a more
efficient development process.
GeoXO is expected to begin operations in the early 2030s and
continue operating through 2055.
For more information, please contact:
Sawyer D'Argonne, BAE Systems
Mobile: 303-250-6031
sawyer.dargonne@ballaerospace.com
www.baesystems.com/US
@BAESystemsInc
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SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.