NASA to Develop Advanced Lightning Mapper Instrument, Benefiting Florida’s Weather Forecasting

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NASA, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has selected Lockheed Martin to develop a cutting-edge lightning mapping instrument for the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program, with key work taking place at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The new instrument will significantly enhance lightning detection and weather forecasting, especially critical for Florida, which experiences some of the highest lightning activity and severe storms in the country.

This $297.1 million contract includes the development of two flight instruments, with options for two more. The GeoXO Lightning Mapper will provide vital data to analyze severe storms, improve hurricane intensity predictions, and enhance lightning warning systems, directly benefiting Floridians who face frequent storms and lightning threats.

The lightning mapper will continue the work of its predecessor on the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R (GOES-R) series, supplying data for predicting storms, tracking hurricanes, detecting wildfires, and enhancing aviation safety. This is particularly significant for Florida, where real-time data from space is critical for emergency preparedness and minimizing the impact of extreme weather events.

The work at Kennedy Space Center will help bring this vital instrument to fruition, supporting NOAA and NASA’s mission to ensure the GeoXO satellites are operational by the early 2030s. These satellites will play a key role in monitoring weather patterns that affect Florida, including lightning strikes and hurricanes.

For more information on the GeoXO program and its role in enhancing weather prediction across the nation, visit NOAA GeoXO Program.