Harris helps NOAA prepare for new satellite system

MELBOURNE, Fla., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The Harris Corp. says it has developed and delivered a system to help prepare NOAA satellite operators to use a new series of weather satellites.

The satellites to be operated by personnel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are the new Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite -- R (GOES-R).

"This is a critical milestone in a program that will rely on the effectiveness of a proven ground system and skilled satellite operators to prepare and test procedures that will be used during launch and satellite operations," said Environmental Systems Product Line Vice President Romy Olaisen. "This system will allow NOAA satellite operators to become familiar with how to effectively manage the satellites using new command and control interfaces and the Harris OS/COMET tool suite."

Harris said delivery of its system -- more than two years ahead of satellite launch -- enables advanced preparation of ground-based satellite command-and-control operations and processes and also enables NOAA and NASA to test those procedures as the first GOES-R satellite is assembled by Lockheed Martin.

The Harris system consists of hardware, software and a graphical user interface; the Harris OS/COMET® telemetry, tracking, and command software; and tools for customizing mission operations.

Harris is the prime contractor.