ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exelis (NYSE: XLS) has been awarded a multimillion-dollar commercial contract to build the primary payload for the Greenhouse Gas Observing Satellite-2 (GOSAT), which Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will build for the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The Exelis-built payload known as TANSO-FTS (Thermal and Near Infrared Sensor for carbon Observation-Fourier Transform Spectrometer) will measure the density of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The satellite is planned for launch in 2018.
“This award was a strategic win for Exelis as we move into climate and environmental monitoring to build on our core weather-monitoring capabilities,” said Roberto Mitrevski, vice president of environmental intelligence/integrated sensing and information solutions at Exelis. “The performance of our current Exelis weather and environmental sensors and our history of on-orbit success were critical factors in our selection.”
Developed out of Exelis core competencies in weather and image science, the TANSO-FTS reflects the company’s focus and expertise in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and analytics enterprise area. Environmental intelligence observed by GOSAT will provide better data about the distribution of greenhouse gases for scientists to better understand climate change.
About Exelis
Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense, information and services company that leverages a 50-year legacy of deep customer knowledge and technical expertise to deliver affordable, mission-critical solutions for global customers. We are a leader in positioning and navigation, sensors, air traffic management solutions, image processing and distribution, communications and information systems; and focused on strategic growth in the areas of critical networks, ISR and analytics, electronic warfare and composite aerostructures. Headquartered in McLean, Va., Exelis employs about 17,000 people and generated 2013 sales of $4.8 billion. For more information, visit our website at www.exelisinc.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
