SAN FRANCISCO—Firefly Aerospace won a contract to launch Quicksounder, a prototype for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's next generation of environmental satellites in low-Earth orbit. The value of the prize was not disclosed.
NASA awarded the contract to Texas-based Firefly on behalf of NOAA through Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare Risk Class (Launch Services Contract (VADR). Through VADR, NASA awards fixed-price contracts for the launch of satellites.
QuickSounder is the first element of NOAA Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON), a new generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites. The mission is intended to collect weather data for many organizations, including the National Weather Service.
He The Southwest Research Institute is building the QuickSounder satellite to host a Advanced Technology Microwave Probe Engineering Development Unit Refurbished by Northrop Grumman, QuickSounder is scheduled for launch in February 2026.
NOAA is working with NASA to accelerate the development of small and medium-sized satellites that provide data for weather forecasting, disaster management, and climate monitoring. NASA will be responsible for the development and launch of the satellites. NOAA will provide funding and technical requirements, and will handle post-launch operations.
VADR is a fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with a five-year ordering period and a maximum total value across all contracts of $300 million.
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