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BAE SYSTEMS to help Aerojet build next-generation weather instrument for NASA

27 Mar 2001

Ref: 045/2001

BAE Systems and Aerojet of Azusa, California, have been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to build the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS). ATMS, a satellite microwave instrument, will improve weather forecasting and assist in global climate research.

BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS), Nashua, New Hampshire, and Aerojet were awarded the $206 million contract in December by NASA’s Office of Earth Sciences. As a major partner and subcontractor, IEWS will help Aerojet develop the new system.

The space-based ATMS instrument will measure microwave energy in the atmosphere. When combined with data from an infrared sounder, ATMS will provide daily global atmospheric temperature, moisture, and pressure profiles.

ATMS is designed to replace instruments currently flying on polar-orbiting weather satellites and will be about one-third the size and weight of existing microwave sounding devices, according to Greg Cassias, Director for Space Programmes, BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems.

“ATMS meets a critical requirement for the Office of Earth Sciences. As an industry leader in the area of remote sensing, we’re eager to support NASA in this important mission,” Cassias said.

Aerojet, as prime contractor for ATMS, will provide its expertise in microwave instruments, systems engineering, atmospheric physics, instrument calibration and microwave instrument production. BAE Systems will provide microwave monolithic integrated circuits (MMICs), microwave modules, and system engineering processes.

ATMS, scheduled for delivery in 2004, will fly on the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environment Satellite System Preparatory Project Mission – a joint effort between NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Air Force.