A GEO-XO ocean color imager will provide observations of ocean biology, chemistry, and ecology. (Photo: NASA)

NASA awarded $6 million phase-A study contracts to L3Harris Technologies and Raytheon to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‘s (NOAA) Geostationary and Extended Orbits (GEO-XO) Imager (GXI) program.

Both companies will provide a definition-phase study of an infrared geostationary imager instrument that is planned to fly on the NOAA’s GEO-XO program satellites. The new system is meant to continue and enhance observations provided by the NOAA’s GOES-R series of satellites, which will reach their end of life just as the new GEO-XO satellites begin launching in 2032.

L3Harris won a separate NOAA contract in June to conduct four studies on the agency’s next generation of Earth Observation (EO) satellite architecture.

The GEO-XO mission is to provide vital Earth Observation information to address major environmental challenges and to support weather, ocean, and climate operations in the United States through the year 2055.

NASA and NOAA want the GEO-XO system to be able to deliver customized more accessible and usable data on demand. “Multiple data delivery options will be available, including an internet storefront, mobile device access, and satellite broadcast,” NASA wrote in its program description. “Cloud-based product generation will expand data access, increase community involvement, and continuously evolve service.”