NASA has chosen BAE Systems to create the Atmospheric Composition sensor (ACX), which will be deployed on the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite constellation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The three spacecraft that make up the GeoXO constellation are designed to supplement the Earth observations acquired by the Geostationary Operational Environmental spacecraft-R series (GOES-R) of NOAA, which it replaced. In order to support important NOAA emphasis areas including lightning mapping and visible and infrared pictures for weather monitoring, the mission will continue to collect data. To improve forecasts and scientific advantages, GeoXO will also offer cutting-edge, high-priority capabilities like air composition, infrared sounding, and ocean colour observations.
“The public at large, as well as the science and operational user communities, will benefit greatly from the ACX instrument,” stated Dr. Alberto Conti, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems’ Civil Space division. “This instrument will not only provide state-of-the-art measurements of air quality, but it will also enhance weather forecasts, assist pilots in avoiding hazardous situations, alert hospitals to impending air quality issues, and safeguard our communities’ long-term health and financial stability.”
ACX, developed by BAE Systems, measures key pollutants and will enhance NOAA’s weather data when combined with other instruments. BAE Systems’ expertise in atmospheric monitoring, demonstrated by projects like GEMS and TEMPO, ensures ACX’s effectiveness. ACX will join a network of geostationary satellites for global air quality monitoring. Additionally, BAE Systems will build GeoXO Sounder (GXS) to improve weather prediction models.
