Harris Corp. announced Nov. 7 it received a six-month, $2.8 million Program Definition and Risk Reduction contract from Boeing Co. for the ground-processing segment of the next-generation U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‘s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R).

Harris is responsible for the design and development of the ground segment, including a data processing and command-and-control ground prototype for the overall satellite system architecture. Value of the work for Harris could reach $8 million by 2007 if NOAA exercises all options.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin and the team of Northrop Grumman and Raytheon received contracts from NOAA, which is expected to select winner in 2007. GOES-R, scheduled for launch in 2012, will provide higher resolution and data frequency than the current GOES spacecraft family.