This milestone will enable construction to begin on the NPOESS antennae, or receptor sites, in McMurdo during the 2007-2008 Southern Hemisphere summer. With the harsh weather and remote polar environment, antennae placement is very difficult, and adequate planning is vital to complete this work on schedule.

NPOESS will monitor global environmental conditions and collect and disseminate data related to weather, atmosphere, oceans, land and near-space environment. SafetyNet, a major feature of the NPOESS ground system, is a unique and innovative network of 15 data-receipt antennae sites and fiber- optic communications around the world.

SafetyNet will provide the time-critical NPOESS data to civil, military and science users in fewer than 30 minutes, compared to current data delivery for U.S. polar-orbiting weather satellite systems, which requires more than two hours. The optimum for weather forecasting is to have the most minimal data delivery time possible, increasing the ability to forecast weather in a more timely and accurate manner.

"NPOESS data is vital for future weather analysis and forecasting to support military operations, civil applications and scientific research," said Mike Mader, vice president and NPOESS program lead for Raytheon Company. "The NSF approval of this environmental assessment culminates two years of Raytheon and government efforts to secure key worldwide NPOESS receptor sites and is further evidence that collaborations between the NPOESS Integrated Program Office, NSF and the Northrop Grumman-Raytheon team work well."

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