The procurement of the GOES-N through -Q spacecraft marks the extension of this multi-satellite program designed to provide continuous monitoring of the Earth's weather systems and the related space environment. The new spacecraft will be used to continue and enhance the functions of the current GOES I-M series of spacecraft.

GOES spacecraft are a mainstay of modern weather forecasting, providing meteorologists and hydrologists with visible and infrared images of weather systems, and precise atmospheric soundings. They orbit above the equator at a height of 22,238 miles, stationed at 75 degrees west longitude and 135 degrees west longitude to provide broad views of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans where storms can be monitored while first forming.

The basic contract value of $423.1 million provides for two spacecraft, GOES-N and -O, at a fixed total price. There are separate, fixed-price options for two additional spacecraft, GOES- P and -Q, priced at $190.9 million and $185 million, respectively.

Along with these options, there are additional, separately priced potential contract costs. They include Government-directed task assignments; additional integration and test support; changes to Government-furnished equipment deliveries; program- related launch vehicle changes; directed launch delays (due primarily to on-orbit satellites lasting longer than expected) and related spacecraft ground storage; and post-storage testing.

The GOES program is a partnership between NOAA and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. NOAA is responsible for program management and budget, determining the technical requirements for the spacecraft, operating the spacecraft in orbit and disseminating the resulting data. The NASA Goddard GOES project office is responsible for the acquisition of the spacecraft and oversight of the contract, and will support NOAA during the post-launch operations phase.

The first spacecraft purchased under this contract will be ready for launch in October 2001. GOES N-Q will carry an Imager and a Sounder to provide regular measurements of Earth's atmosphere, cloud cover and land surfaces. Two of them also will carry a Solar X-ray Imager and Space Environment Monitor instruments.

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