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NASA Selects Southwest Research Institute for Next-Generation Space Weather Magnetometer

In a significant stride toward enhancing space weather monitoring, NASA, collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has chosen the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) located in San Antonio, Texas, to create the Next-Generation Space Weather Magnetometer. This initiative forms part of NOAA’s broader Space Weather Next program.

The contract, which is structured as a cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement, is estimated to be worth around $26.1 million. It encompasses the development of two advanced magnetometer instruments, with the expected project timeline running from December 2024 to January 2034. The efforts involved in this project will be undertaken at SwRI’s facilities in San Antonio, along with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The scope of this contract includes comprehensive activities such as the design, analysis, fabrication, integration, and testing of the magnetometer instruments. Furthermore, it involves launching support, maintaining ground support equipment, and providing ongoing assistance for operations following the launch, specifically at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility.

The primary function of these magnetometers is to measure the interplanetary magnetic field, which is influenced by solar wind. The data collected by these instruments will be vital for the Space Weather Prediction Center operated by NOAA. This center is responsible for issuing crucial forecasts, warnings, and alerts that help decrease the adverse effects of space weather phenomena, which can disrupt electric power grids and communication and navigation systems.

Nasa and NOAA jointly manage various aspects of the Lagrange 1 Series project, overseeing the development, launch, testing, and operations of its satellites. NOAA holds the role of program owner, establishing requirements, funding, and overseeing program management, operational aspects, data product generation, and their dissemination. Meanwhile, NASA, alongside its commercial partners, is tasked with the development and construction of the instruments and spacecraft, in addition to providing launch services for NOAA.

To learn more about NASA and its various programs, please visit:

https://www.nasa.gov

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