Four Companies Secure NASA Contracts for NOAA Microwave Sounder Studies

NASA has awarded four contracts worth about $19 million in total to conduct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications Phase-A study.

Ball Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Orbital Micro Systems and Spire Global Subsidiary received a one-year contract each to study and design SMBA formulation activities. SMBA instruments, part of NOAA’s Near-Earth Orbit Network program, will provide critical data about the Earth’s atmosphere and improve numerical weather models and forecasts for NOAA’s National Weather Service.

The instruments will fly on NOAA’s NEON program series of low-Earth orbit satellites, which are slated for launch beginning in 2030, NASA said.

SMBA Phases B to D will be issued on a separate contract vehicle after a decision is made to proceed after Phase A.

The NEON program will develop an LEO satellite constellation for weather forecasting, environmental observation, climate monitoring and public safety. Under the program, NOAA is developing a series of microwave sounders, including SMBA and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder, both of which serve similar functions.

SMBA and ATMS will be sent to space through the Series One project and the QuickSounder project, respectively.