NASA launches a new NOAA weather satellite

The R Series Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) is the most advanced weather and environmental monitoring system in the Western Hemisphere.

It provides advanced imaging and atmospheric measurements, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and space weather monitoring.

“As communities across the country and the world feel the effects of severe weather, satellites like GOES-U are watching closely to monitor the weather in real time,” said Bill Nelson, Administrator of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). .

He explained that they have worked for decades alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to bring critical data back to Earth to prepare for severe storms, detect fires, and much more.

He added that this fleet of advanced satellites enhances the ability to adapt to our changing climate and protects humanity from climate risks on Earth and in space.

In addition to its critical role in predicting Earth’s weather, the GOES constellation of satellites helps forecasters predict space weather near the planet that can interfere with satellite electronics, GPS and radio communications.

The GOES-U satellite goes beyond the capabilities of its predecessors with a new space weather instrument, Compact Coronagraph-1, that blocks bright light from the Sun so scientists can observe the relatively weaker solar atmosphere.

Once GOES-U reaches geostationary orbit, about 35,000 kilometers above Earth, it will be called GOES-19.

After successful orbital testing of its instruments and systems, GOES-19 will enter service and monitor the weather over much of North America, including the United States and Mexico, as well as Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west coast of Africa.

“The GOES-U satellite represents a revolutionary milestone in global weather forecasting and monitoring, providing vital data that is essential to protecting the Western Hemisphere from environmental threats,” said Natalia Donohoe, Head of the Space Systems and Uses Division at the World Meteorological Organization. .

M/LPN