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Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems has secured a contract from Nasa to provide advanced technology microwave sounder (ATMS) instrument for flight on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) 2 mission.

The $121m cost-plus-award-fee modification contract extends the work’s performance period to May 2022.

Under the contract, Northrop Grumman’s subsidiary will build, test and deliver the ATMS instrument.

It will support instrument integration on the JPSS-2 spacecraft, as well as provide launch and post-launch services.

Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the JPSS-2 mission is designed provide global environmental data in low-Earth polar orbit.

Nasa is responsible for the flight systems and certain ground system components.

"JPSS-1 is scheduled for launch in 2017, with JPSS-2 scheduled for 2021."

The ATMS instrument for the JPSS-2 mission will be designed similar to that on the existing Suomi NPP mission, and planned JPSS-1 mission.

The microwave instrument and cross-track infrared sounder will produce global atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles.

Data generated will facilitate temperature and humidity sounding data in all weather conditions, and will allow forecasters to enhance global and regional predictions of weather patterns, storm tracks and precipitation.

JPSS-1 is scheduled for launch in 2017, with JPSS-2 scheduled for 2021.

Northrop Grumman provides aerospace, electronics, information systems, products and solutions to government and commercial customers across the world.

Image: Artistic view of JPSS-1 satellite. Photo: courtesy of Ball Aerospace Technologies Corporation / Nasa.

Defence Technology