[SatNews] Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has completed the first of four antenna-feed upgrades that will provide performance improvements essential to processing the new frequencies and increased volume of meteorological data that will come from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite — R Series (GOES-R).

Artistic rendition of the GOES-R satellite.
Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin.

The new antenna feeds have a frequency distribution switching system that supports current and new GOES frequency bands, and that handles the increasing amount of information to be received and processed; a monitoring and control system; and a test equipment suite. The four, 9.1-meter antennas undergoing the upgrade are located at NOAA's Satellite and Operations Facility in Suitland, Maryland. The first upgraded antenna already has been brought on line with the current GOES satellite system.

"We have worked closely with NOAA and our industry partners to bring the new antenna online nearly two years prior to launch," said Romy Olaisen, vice president, Civil Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems.

Harris is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the GOES-R Antenna Segment contract. GOES-R will enable more accurate weather forecasts by supplying meteorological data to NOAA with much greater detail — and significantly faster — than the current GOES satellites. It will be a primary tool for detecting and tracking hurricanes and severe weather.

The Harris infosite is located at http://www.harris.com/