CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The 45th Space Wing supported NASA’s successful launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 here Nov. 19 at 6:42 p.m. ET.
Once in geostationary orbit, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES-R weather and environmental satellite will provide National Weather Service forecasters the meteorological equivalent of going from black and white to ultra-high-definition color TV, according to a NASA release. The new satellite can deliver vivid images of severe weather as often as every 30 seconds, scanning the Earth five times faster, with four times greater image resolution and using triple the number of spectral channels compared with today’s other GOES spacecraft.
GOES-R’s advanced imagery and higher resolution will also enable improvements to NOAA’s hurricane tracking and intensity forecasts, as well as the forecasting of severe weather including tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding.
“Congratulations to ULA, NASA, NOAA and the entire integrated team who ensured the success of this launch,” said Col. Walt Jackim, 45th Space Wing vice commander and mission Launch Decision Authority. “This successful launch, the first since Hurricane Matthew tore through the Space Coast, is a testament to our dedication, resiliency and perseverance. It’s my honor to be a part of this tremendous space team supporting the space industry. Assured access to space is a team sport and here on the Eastern Range, no matter what Mother Nature may throw our way, we continue to prove we are the ‘World’s Premier Gateway to Space.’”