[Satellite TODAY 10-07-10] Integral Systems was awarded a $4.1 million task order to modernize the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‘s (NOAA) Polar Ground Systems (PGS), Integral announced Oct. 6.
    The task order, which carries a base-year term and four option years, contracts Integral to upgrade the PGS’ ground station hardware and software to allow continuation of the POES, DMSP, Jason-2, and COSMIC missions throughout the next decade. The ground stations scheduled for upgrading are located in Suitland, Md.; Wallops, Va.; and Fairbanks, Alaska.
    The PGS has provided automated control for NOAA’s polar satellite fleet since 1992. Command and data acquisition control of the polar-orbiting and geostationary operational satellites is conducted at the NOAA’s satellite operations control center through communications links with command and data acquisition ground system facilities.