NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) intends to issue a sole source new work modification to Northrop Grumman for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) Engineering Development Unit (EDU) refurbishment.
The ATMS EDU is the flight qualification test unit for the ATMS instruments which provide passive microwave sounding on the JPSS weather satellites. The refurbishment involves replacing numerous ATMS EDU Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) with CCAs that have more reliable parts, troubleshooting and repairing known flaws, and characterizing the performance of the refurbished ATMS EDU by using the ATMS flight acceptance test program. The refurbishment intends to bring the ATMS EDU up to a Mission Class D flight instrument level to serve as both a contingency to the JPSS missions and a demonstration mission, QuickSounder, which will support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) future Low Earth Orbit (LEO) program.
The refurbishment intends to meet NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services (NESDIS) Level Requrements, completed by November 2023, and within budgetary constraints. Based on the unique and highly intricate design of the ATMS instrument, along with required precision manufacturing processes, special test equipment, test fixtures, specialized and skilled workforce, in-depth calibration procedures, and institutional expertise and knowledge required to refurbish the ATMS EDU by November 2023, Northrop Grumman is the only qualified vendor that meets the requirements for this procurement.
