TRW's weather systems business took another step forward with the award of a contract to study how to accommodate advanced sensors onto the next series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), starting with GOES-R, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

GOES provides timely weather information to the National Weather Service, warning of developing storms, tornadoes, flash floods, snow squalls, and volcanic eruptions as well as reporting on routine weather conditions.

GOES imagery and data, an essential cornerstone of weather observations and forecasting for more than 25 years, are featured on weather reports across the United States and the world.

"GOES imagery is an integral part of our daily lives, helping people make commonplace and life-saving decisions based on a knowledge of weather conditions," said Fred Ricker, vice president and general manager, Space & Laser Programs Division. "We're delighted to participate with NASA on a study that will shape the next generation of GOES spacecraft and sensors.

"TRW's understanding of GOES requirements grows from our extensive work as a prime contractor, building and integrating spacecraft and complex sensors for remote sensing missions," he said.

TRW is building two of NASA's Earth Observing System satellites, Aqua and Aura; is defining requirements and reducing risk on the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental System; and has built remote sensing sensors, including the Hyperion hyperspectral imager on-board NASA's Earth Observing-1 spacecraft and six Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instruments.

TRW was one of several contractors awarded a six-month, $500,000 contract by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. During the study, TRW will define size, weight, power, communication and electrical interface requirements that will enable spacecraft to accommodate advanced GOES weather sensors.

The primary planned sensors for GOES-R satellites are the Advanced Baseline Imager and the Advanced Baseline Sounder. These instruments will provide higher fidelity weather data, at higher data rates, with greater levels of accuracy than current sensors for improved weather prediction.

TRW has been developing satellite systems for NASA's most challenging scientific, environmental and communications missions since 1958. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, TRW provides advanced technology products and services for automotive, space and defense, telecommunications and information technology markets worldwide. TRW news releases are available on the corporate Web site www.trw.com.