Posted: Thu, Dec 4, 2008, 7:12 AM ET (1212 GMT)
NASA has selected Lockheed Martin to build a new generation of weather satellites in a deal values at over $1 billion. NASA awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company a contract for two GOES-R spacecraft with options for two additional spacecraft, for a total contract value of $1.09 billion. The satellites will be the latest in the series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) spacecraft operated by NOAA, although NASA manages the spacecraft acquisition process for NOAA. The first GOES-R satellite is planned for launch in 2015. Lockheed beat out competing bids from Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

Related Links:

•  Wall Street Journal article (subscription required)
•  Aerospace Daily article
•  Denver Rocky Mountain News article
•  AP article
•  NASA press release