NASA Selects BAE Systems for Air Quality Monitoring Instrument
Introduction
NASA, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has chosen BAE Systems to develop an instrument for monitoring air quality and assessing the impact of air pollutants on Earth as part of NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program.
Contract Details
- Contract value: $365 million
- Contract type: Cost-plus-award-fee
- Scope: Development of one flight instrument with options for additional units
- Period of performance: 15 years (10 years of on-orbit operations and 5 years of on-orbit storage)
- Locations: BAE Systems, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
The GeoXO Atmospheric Composition (ACX) Instrument
The GeoXO ACX instrument is a hyperspectral spectrometer that measures a wide spectrum of light from ultraviolet to visible. It will provide hourly observations of air pollutants emitted by various sources, including transportation, power generation, industry, oil and gas extraction, volcanoes, and wildfires. Additionally, it will measure secondary pollutants generated from these emissions once they are in the atmosphere. The continuous observations and measurements of atmospheric composition from ACX data will improve air quality forecasting and monitoring, mitigate health impacts from severe pollution and smoke events, and contribute to a better understanding of the linkages between weather, air quality, and climate.
Contract Scope
The contract includes the necessary tasks and deliverables for designing, analyzing, developing, fabricating, integrating, testing, verifying, evaluating, supporting launch, supplying and maintaining the instrument ground support equipment, and supporting mission operations at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility.
The GeoXO Program
The GeoXO program is the successor to the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites – R (GOES-R) Series Program. It aims to advance Earth observations from geostationary orbit and provide vital information to address major environmental challenges in support of weather, ocean, and climate operations in the United States. The advanced capabilities of GeoXO will help meet the evolving needs of NOAA’s data users and ensure critical observations are available by the early 2030s when the GOES-R Series nears the end of its operational lifetime.
Partnership between NOAA and NASA
NOAA and NASA will jointly oversee the development, launch, testing, and operation of all satellites in the GeoXO program. NOAA funds and manages the program, operations, and data products, while NASA and commercial partners are responsible for developing, building, and launching the instruments and spacecraft.
Conclusion
The selection of BAE Systems for the development of the air quality monitoring instrument is a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13: Climate Action. The GeoXO program will contribute to improved air quality forecasting, monitoring, and mitigation of health impacts from pollution, aligning with Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. Furthermore, the continuous observations and measurements of atmospheric composition will enhance our understanding of the linkages between weather, air quality, and climate, supporting Goal 15: Life on Land.
For More Information
For more information on the GeoXO program, please visit: https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/geoxo
Contact Information
- Liz Vlock – Headquarters, Washington – 202-358-1600 – elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov
- Jeremy Eggers – Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. – 757-824-2958 – jeremy.l.eggers@nasa.gov
- John Leslie – NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service – 202-527-3504 – nesdis.pa@noaa.gov
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions the following indicators:
- Air pollutants emitted by transportation, power generation, industry, oil and gas extraction, volcanoes, and wildfires.
- Secondary pollutants generated from the above emissions once they are in the atmosphere.
- Continuous observations and measurements of atmospheric composition.
- Improved air quality forecasting and monitoring.
- Health impacts from severe pollution and smoke events, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.
- Linkages between weather, air quality, and climate.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Health impacts from severe pollution and smoke events, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – Air pollutants emitted by transportation, power generation, industry, oil and gas extraction, volcanoes, and wildfires. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Continuous observations and measurements of atmospheric composition. – Improved air quality forecasting and monitoring. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Linkages between weather, air quality, and climate. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Secondary pollutants generated from emissions once they are in the atmosphere. |
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Fuente: nasa.gov
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