Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

L3Harris High-Resolution Weather Imager Capture First Image From Space

By: L3Harris Technologies via Business Wire

May 11, 2022 at 11:20 AM EDT

Highlights:

High-resolution satellite aids NOAA’s environmental, weather monitoring capabilities
System using 16 spectral bands will monitor United States western coastline, Hawaii and Alaska
L3Harris technology enables tracking of severe weather conditions every 30 seconds

The L3Harris Technologies-built (NYSE: LHX) high-resolution Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) onboard NOAA’s newest weather satellite captured its first image since launching into space two months ago – a significant milestone prior to reaching full operational status.

The GOES-18 full disk GeoColor image was captured May 5, 2022. This type of imagery combines data from multiple ABI channels to approximate what the human eye would see from space.

The ABI is the primary instrument for NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-18 (GOES-18) — the third in a series of four advanced geostationary weather satellites. In addition to the ABI, the L3Harris-developed enterprise ground system downlinks and processes the imagery, controls the weather satellite constellation and its suite of instruments.

Providing high-resolution imagery of weather and environmental systems using 16 spectral bands, the ABI onboard GOES-18 will keep watch over the western contiguous U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Central America and the Pacific against devastating tornadoes, wildfires, dense fog, and other Pacific Ocean-based storms, such as cyclones and hurricanes.

“L3Harris' third Advanced Baseline Imager continues to aid NOAA and the National Weather Service in detecting and monitoring of severe storms, wildfires, and tornadoes, which enable more accurate warnings and severe weather forecasts,” said Rob Mitrevski, Vice President and General Manager, Spectral Solutions, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “The technology onboard GOES-18 will allow advanced severe weather information to be received every 30 seconds. We look forward to seeing this satellite transition to full operational capability in the coming months where it can continue our company’s legacy of real-time monitoring to save the lives and property of our nation’s citizens.”

GOES-18 was called GOES-T prior to reaching geostationary orbit on March 14, and is slated to become GOES-West when fully operational. In addition to the third ABI for GOES-18, L3Harris delivered its fourth ABI to NASA in late 2021. This advanced instrument was integrated into the GOES-U satellite, slated to launch in 2024, which will complete the GOES-R series of advanced geostationary weather sensors, creating a worldwide constellation of seven Advanced Baseline Imager class geostationary instruments – four for NOAA, two for Japan, and one for South Korea. L3Harris is also currently completing imager and sounder concept designs for NOAA’s next-generation geostationary satellite mission - Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO).

About L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across space, air, land, sea and cyber domains. L3Harris has more than $17 billion in annual revenue and 47,000 employees, with customers in more than 10 countries. L3Harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about the value or expected value of orders, contracts or programs and about system capabilities are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. L3Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.