The U.S. space agency, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has selected the contractor for the next series of weather satellites.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration named the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. of Denver to build the satellites for NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites Program.

NASA said the basic contract -- for two spacecraft, with options for two additional satellites -- is valued at $1.09 billion.

"GOES-R (the satellites program), with its highly advanced instruments and sensors, will provide about 50 times more weather and climate data than is available with NOAA's current fleet of geostationary satellites," said Mary Kicza, assistant administrator for NOAA Satellite and Information Service in Silver Spring, Md. "The American public will see real life-saving benefits from this satellite system with more timely forecasts and warnings for severe weather."