NASA selects SwRI for NOAA space weather instrument development
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 10, 2024
NASA has awarded a contract to Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio to develop advanced space weather monitoring instruments as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Next program. The initiative will feature the construction of the Next-Generation Space Weather Magnetometer for the Lagrange 1 Series project.

The contract, valued at approximately $26.1 million, encompasses the development of two cutting-edge magnetometer instruments. The project timeline spans from December 2024 to January 2034, with work to be carried out at SwRI's facility in San Antonio, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, and Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The contract's scope includes a wide range of responsibilities, such as the design, analysis, and fabrication of the instruments, along with their integration, testing, and verification. The agreement also includes launch support, the supply and upkeep of ground support equipment, and assistance with post-launch operations at NOAA's Satellite Operations Facility.

The magnetometer instruments will play a crucial role in measuring the interplanetary magnetic field carried by solar wind. This data is vital for NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, which provides essential forecasts, warnings, and alerts. These services aim to reduce the impact of space weather events on critical systems, including electric power grids and communication and navigation infrastructure.

NOAA leads the program by providing funding, setting requirements, and managing operations, data products, and dissemination to users. NASA supports these efforts by collaborating with commercial partners to develop the instruments and spacecraft, as well as arranging launch services.

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