Weather Satellite GOES-U Successfully Launched into Orbit With the Aid of Falcon Heavy Rocket
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-U (GOES-U) has taken to the skies, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to monitor Earth's weather and environmental conditions. Launched on June 25, 2024, from the Kennedy Space Flight Center in Florida, GOES-U is now operating in geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000 km above Earth[4][5].
This latest addition to the GOES-R Series was designed, built, and tested by Lockheed Martin, with L3Harris Technologies providing the primary payloads[1]. The satellite is equipped with a suite of advanced instruments, including the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) for detailed optical imaging, the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) to continuously track lightning activity, and the Compact Coronagraph-1 (CCOR) that contributes to space weather monitoring by observing solar phenomena[1][4][5].
The Compact Coronagraph-1 on GOES-U is a new instrument designed to observe the Sun's fainter atmosphere, providing valuable data for understanding solar activity and its potential impacts on Earth[2]. This is particularly important for predicting space weather, which can affect electronic systems, GPS, and radio communications[3].
GOES-U provides continuous coverage of weather and environmental conditions across much of the Western Hemisphere, including North America, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean to west coast of Africa[4]. This data is essential for preparing for severe storms, detecting wildfires, and building resilience to climate change.
The Falcon Heavy, a rocket consisting of three modified Falcon 9 first stage boosters, was used for the launch of GOES-U. This was the tenth flight of the Falcon Heavy since its introduction in 2018, with the two lateral boosters returning to land successfully at Cape Canaveral[6]. The Falcon Heavy offers an initial thrust of more than 2,200 tonnes, equivalent to eighteen Boeing 747s taking off[7].
The GOES-R Series program includes GOES-U and is overseen by NOAA through an integrated NOAA-NASA office[8]. With the launch of GOES-U, the program continues to provide critical weather and environmental data, ensuring the continued advancement in meteorological and environmental monitoring.
[1] Lockheed Martin designs, builds, and tests GOES-R Series satellites, with L3Harris Technologies providing primary payloads. [2] GOES-U carries a new instrument, the Compact Coronagraph-1, designed to observe the Sun's fainter atmosphere. [3] GOES-U is equipped to predict space weather, which can affect electronic systems, GPS, and radio communications. [4] GOES-U provides continuous coverage of weather and environmental conditions across much of the Western Hemisphere. [5] Data collected by GOES-U is essential for preparing for severe storms, detecting wildfires, and building resilience to climate change. [6] The Falcon Heavy is a rocket used for the launch of GOES-U, consisting of three modified Falcon 9 first stage boosters. [7] The Falcon Heavy offers an initial thrust of more than 2,200 tonnes, equivalent to eighteen Boeing 747s taking off. [8] The GOES-R Series program includes GOES-U and is overseen by NOAA through an integrated NOAA-NASA office.
- The GOES-U satellite's launch marks a significant step in the realm of environmental-science, as it contributes to the ongoing research on climate change by providing critical data.
- Science and technology have collaborated to create the Compact Coronagraph-1, an advanced instrument on GOES-U designed to observe the Sun's fainter atmosphere, which aids in predicting space weather.
- Through the study of space-and-astronomy, scientists can understand the potential impacts of solar activity on Earth's climate and environmental conditions.
- The data collected by GOES-U, along with other scientific research and technology advancements, can help society prepare for and adapt to climate change, ensuring a sustainable future.
