NASA, NOAA Launch NEON Program with SwRI-developed QuickSounder satellite

NASA, NOAA Launch NEON Program with SwRI-developed QuickSounder satellite
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 09, 2024

The realm of environmental monitoring and weather forecasting is set to receive a significant boost with the latest collaboration between NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Under a recently awarded $54 million contract, SwRI is gearing up to develop QuickSounder, the inaugural satellite in NOAA's new Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program.

QuickSounder is not just another addition to the fleet of environmental satellites; it marks the beginning of a novel approach in satellite technology. As the first environmental smallsat under NOAA's ambit, QuickSounder is a pathfinder mission, laying the groundwork for future advancements in this field. "Our team is very excited to play such an important role in working with NOAA to develop their next generation satellite architecture," said Michael McLelland, Vice President of SwRI's Space Systems Division, underlining the project's significance.

The NEON program, a collaborative mission between NASA and NOAA, represents a fresh direction in environmental observation. NASA's role encompasses managing the development and launch of the satellites for NOAA, which in turn, will operate them and provide vital data to users globally. This cooperative endeavor is aimed at enhancing weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental observation capabilities.

One of the most notable aspects of QuickSounder is its development timeline. Traditional environmental satellites often take a decade or longer to move from conception to launch. However, QuickSounder is set to break this norm by launching in mid-2026 - less than 27 months after the contract award. This accelerated timeline not only demonstrates SwRI's capability in rapid satellite development but also allows NOAA to deploy newer, more advanced technology instruments sooner.

QuickSounder will be equipped with NOAA's Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument, which is pivotal in collecting atmospheric data. This data, encompassing aspects like temperature and moisture, plays a crucial role in influencing weather patterns. The satellite's capability to deliver 95% of collected data within 30 minutes represents a leap forward in data latency for environmental satellites, substantially improving NOAA's weather forecasting ability.

SwRI's responsibilities over the next two years include designing and building QuickSounder, integrating the ATMS instrument, and conducting rigorous environmental testing to ensure the satellite's durability in space conditions. The satellite, slightly larger than a typical washing machine, will measure 2.6 feet wide and 3.7 feet long, weighing approximately 465 pounds, including the xenon propellant for its small electric propulsion thruster.

Once completed in 2026, SwRI will deliver QuickSounder to the launch site, oversee launch vehicle integration, support the launch, and then operate the satellite from its Mission Operations Center in Boulder, Colorado, through 2029. All design, fabrication, and testing processes for QuickSounder will be carried out at SwRI's 74,000-square-foot Space System Integration Facility in San Antonio, Texas. This facility is specifically designed to rapidly respond to the needs of both commercial and government spacecraft, particularly focusing on small satellites for emerging "new space" applications.

The QuickSounder project is a testament to SwRI's expertise and commitment to advancing space technology. It also signifies a critical step for NOAA in adopting a different, more efficient approach to satellite development, promising enhanced capabilities in environmental monitoring and weather forecasting.