Company BAE Systems won a NASA contract for $230,6 million to develop satellites within the program Lagrange 1 Series, aimed at monitoring space weather.
Which provides for a contract?
According to the conditions fixed price, BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (As reported Ball Aerospace) will be responsible for:
- Development of Lagrange satellites 1 Series
- Integration of scientific instruments
- Support of flight and operational processes
Works start in February 2024 year and will continue in Bowlers, Colorado, until January 2034 year.
Lagrange 1 Series: key tasks.
Companions of the series Lagrange 1 is part of the program Space Weather Next, developed US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The main goal of the project is tracking the activity of the Sun and monitoring the solar wind.
The launch is planned for two stages:
- The first apparatus is in 2029 year
- The second - in 2032 year
Data, which will collect these satellites, will allow to improve forecasting geomagnetic storms and their impact on the Earth, in particular:
- work power grid
- Security air flights
- Systems communication and navigation
In addition, BAE Systems engaged in the creation of a satellite for the mission Space Weather Follow On Lagrange 1, the launch of which is planned no earlier than September 2025 year.
A collaboration between NASA and NOAA
NASA and NOAA will work together on the development, testing and operation Lagrange 1 Series.
- NOAA determines the requirements for the program, finances the project, manages operations and disseminates received data.
- NASA works with contractors, responsible for the creation of satellites, their testing and launch.
The contract was concluded within the framework of the program Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition IV, which allows the US government accelerate satellite procurement process, instruments and space services.
Source: https://spacenews.com/bae-wins-230-6-million-contract-for-space-weather-program/