LITTLETON, Colo. — Three months after launching the nation’s most sophisticated weather satellite for the U.S. government, a Colorado-based space company landed a $2.3 billion contract to do it again.
Lockheed Martin Space, based in Jefferson County, on Tuesday was chosen to design and build the next generation of federal government satellites watching for storms, extreme weather and environmental hazards over the Western Hemisphere.
The company is tasked with making at least three GeoXO satellites, which will be used by the National Weather Service and are projected to be launched into orbit in the early 2030s. The contract includes the option for the government to add as many as four additional satellites that will support the government’s weather monitoring into the 2050s.
“Our team is excited and ready to move forward to design and field this critical national capability,” said Kyle Griffin, vice president and general manager of commercial civil space at Lockheed Martin, in a statement. “Our GeoXO design draws heavily from what we’ve learned with GOES-R spacecraft over the last 15 years, while incorporating new, digital technologies not only onboard the vehicles but in the design and development of this powerful, weather-monitoring platform of the future.”
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Science is Cool
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
