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Coffman Applauds NASA Decision to Use LockheedMay 07, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- May 6, 2009 Contact: Tyler Q. Houlton 202-226-6998 Coffman Applauds NASA's Decision to Use Lockheed Littleton-based firm will build two spacecraft (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) noted today that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) decision to commission Littleton-based Lockheed Martin Space Systems to build two spacecraft for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) next generation geostationary satellite series, GOES-R, reinforces the 6th Congressional District's importance in the space and high technology industry. "This is further ratification that Colorado in general and my district in particular are in the forefront of the nation's space efforts," said Coffman. The contract has a total estimated value of $1.09 billion for the two satellites, GOES-R and GOES-S, including options for GOES-T and GOES-U. NASA will award the GOES-R series spacecraft contract using NOAA funds. NOAA funds, operates and manages the GOES-R program, while NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center manages the acquisition of GOES-R spacecraft and instruments for NOAA. The new series, poised to begin launching in 2015, will double the clarity of today's satellite imagery and provide more than 20 times the information. "GOES-R will be a dramatic improvement compared to what we're using today - both in terms of better imagery and better data these satellites will offer," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "The American public will see real, life-saving benefits from this advanced satellite system that will give forecasters better and more detailed information." "I congratulate the dedicated employees at Lockheed Martin for getting this contract. These new satellites will greatly improve our ability to predict weather patterns here in the United States and all over the globe," Coffman concluded. # # # # |