Parsons to Serve as System Integrator for NOAA’s Space Traffic Coordination System

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded Parsons a contract with a potential value of nearly $27 million to develop, integrate and manage the Traffic Coordination System for Space.

Also known as TraCSS, the cloud-based system is developed by NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce to enhance safety and sustainability in space by providing space situational awareness and coordination services to commercial, civil, national security and international space operators, Parsons said.

Parsons will be responsible for building the software backbone of TraCSS. It will integrate commercial components to ensure a system that can adapt to the changing needs of the space sector.

Additionally, Parsons will oversee cloud services, cybersecurity and system operations. Parsons CEO Carey Smith, a 4×24 member and past Wash100 awardee, emphasized the company’s expertise in space domain awareness, a crucial asset in supporting NOAA’s mission.

The contract has a one-year base period worth $15.5 million and an optional year for a maximum value of $26.9 million.

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves expressed confidence in leveraging commercial innovation for TraCSS while NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad highlighted the agency’s experience in developing operational safety systems.

OCS plans to start the initial operations of TraCSS’ Phase 1 at the end of the 2024 fiscal year.