Raytheon Awarded $507M NASA Contract for Landsat Next Instruments

NASA has awarded Raytheon a contract valued at up to $506.7 million to develop instruments for the Landsat Next mission.

The contract tasks Raytheon to provide three instruments, with an option for a fourth, along with related services, NASA said.

Raytheon’s responsibilities span the entire lifecycle of the Landsat Next devices – from design and engineering to fabrication, testing, delivery and support.

According to NASA, Landsat Next will not only ensure the continuation of the world’s longest-running record of Earth’s land surface observations from space, but will also enhance the comprehensiveness and accessibility of the critical data.

A collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, the mission will also shift from a single spacecraft to a constellation of three smaller satellites, offering increased temporal, spatial and spectral resolution.

The mission aligns with the Sustainable Land Imaging Program, which is expected to improve the management of America’s land, water and coastal resources.

The majority of Raytheon’s work will be conducted at the company’s facilities in El Segundo, California, and will be overseen by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.