The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced today it has selected Lockheed Martin for award of a contract to build the next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series, known as GOES-R, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The basic contract is for two spacecraft. Two options each provide for one additional spacecraft. The total estimated value of the basic contract including options is $1.09 billion.

Data from the GOES system provides accurate real-time weather forecast and early warning products to the public and private sectors. The GOES-R mission will improve forecasting quality and timeliness generating significant economic benefits to the nation in the areas of climate monitoring, ecosystems management, commerce and transportation.

"We are proud to have been selected by NASA to provide this vital environmental satellite system for our nation," said Joanne Maguire, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "GOES-R will expand capabilities for weather forecasting that will help to better protect lives and property."

Lockheed Martin's GOES-R solution builds upon the renowned A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft bus and proven precision imaging capabilities from previous remote sensing programs. The A2100 satellite fleet currently consists of 36 satellites and has achieved an accumulated 200 years of successful in- orbit operations.

"Our team is ready to move forward to design and field this important national system," said Jim Crocker, vice president of Sensing and Exploration Systems at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "We look forward to continuing our ongoing relationship with NOAA and NASA including two previously awarded GOES-R instruments -- the Solar Ultra-Violet Imager and the Geostationary Lightning Mapper."

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company has a long history of developing highly reliable civil and military weather and environmental satellite systems including Landsat, TIROS, Terra and DMSP.

The Lockheed Martin GOES-R program office will be located at its Space Systems Company facilities in Newtown, Pa. While substantial engineering and production effort will be conducted in Newtown, the program will also leverage Space Systems Company capabilities across the country including Denver, Colo. and Sunnyvale, Calif.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Broadcast and web video animation, in addition to an illustration of the GOES-R spacecraft is available at http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2008/1202ss_GOESR.html

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin