\n<\/p>\n
NASA has selected Firefly Aerospace, Inc. of Cedar Park, Texas, to provide launch services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) QuickSounder mission.<\/p>\n
The selection is part of NASA\u2019s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract. This contract allows the agency to make fixed-price indefinite-delivery\/indefinite-quantity awards during VADR\u2019s five-year ordering period, with a maximum total value of $300 million across all contracts.<\/p>\n
The QuickSounder mission will support NOAA\u2019s next generation satellite architecture for its future low Earth orbit program, which will provide mission-critical data for the agency\u2019s National Weather Service, the nation\u2019s weather industry, and other users worldwide.<\/p>\n
QuickSounder is the first small satellite in NOAA\u2019s Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON). A collaborative effort between NASA and NOAA, NEON will provide a new approach to developing a new global environmental satellite system by quickly building small to medium-sized satellites with Earth-observing instruments for weather forecasting, disaster management, and climate monitoring. QuickSounder has a launch readiness date of February 2026.<\/p>\n
NASA will manage the development and launch of the satellites for NOAA. As the mission lead, NOAA provides funding, technical requirements, and\u00a0will manage post-launch operations. NASA and NOAA will work with commercial partners to design and build the network\u2019s spacecraft and instruments.<\/p>\n
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Liz Vlock \/ Karen Fox Patti Bielling
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov \/ karen.fox@nasa.gov<\/p>\n
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-501-7575
patricia.a.bielling@nasa.gov<\/p>\n<\/div>\n