GOES-15 Snaps First Infrared Images

NOAA's newest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-15) took its first Imager full-disk infrared image of the Earth on April 26

Experts at NASA and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announce that their newest orbital satellite has finally opened its infrared “eyes” a couple of days ago. The group says that the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-15) took the first images of our planet in these wavelengths from its vantage point, some 22,236 miles above the surface, on April 26.

The infrared equipment on GOES-15 is of tremendous practical importance, especially to meteorologists and weather forecasters. Observing the planet in these wavelengths enables these experts to gain more data on temperatures on the ground, in the sea and in the air, as well as to derive various other data. For example, they can calculate wind, temperature and moisture profiles for the atmosphere, and can observe how smoke plumes – such as those from volcanic eruptions – migrate across the surface of the planet. The IR instruments can also be used to monitor wildfires, experts add.

“This (image) marks the final stage of the critical events for the spacecraft and indicates that the visible and infrared spacecraft imaging instruments are performing as expected. We’re looking forward to more imagery as we finish up post-launch testing,” explains the NASA GOES deputy project manager, Andre Dress. The expert is based at the space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), in Greenbelt, Maryland. The new picture was snapped using the multi-channel GOES Imager instrument, Space Fellowship reports.

Another instrument that can produce advanced-quality infrared data is the GOES Sounder. Using datasets this payload collects, mathematicians can apply analysis technique to determine surface and cloud-top temperatures, as well as ozone distribution, temperature and moisture profile across the planet's atmosphere. The first infrared information came from GOES less than three weeks after the satellite relayed its first visible-light images of Earth, on April 6. The space craft was launched on March 4 this year, from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) Space Launch Complex 37, in Florida.

NOAA and NASA began verifications of GOES-15's systems on March 24. The procedures will last for about 150 days, after which time NASA will hand over operational control of the spacecraft to NOAA.

GOES-15 Opens Its 'Eyes' and Sees First Image of Earth

NOAA's newest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - GOES-15 - took its first full-disk visible image of the Earth on April 6 at 17:33 UTC (1:33 p.m. EDT). Credit: NASA/NOAA/SSEC

From approximately 22,236 miles in space, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) newest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - GOES-15 - took its first full-disk visible image of the Earth on April 6 starting at 17:33 UTC (1:33 p.m. EDT).

The black and white full-disk image showed North and South America. Draped across the U.S. was a stationary front, indicated by a drape of clouds from New England westward to Kansas, where a low pressure area is located. West of the low is an approaching cold front which lay over the Rocky Mountains, bringing snow to parts of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Mostly clear skies are seen over Washington, D.C. and the Chesapeake Bay, the southeastern U.S., Gulf of Mexico, California and Mexico.

GOES-15, launched on March 4, 2010, from Cape Canaveral, Fla., joins three other NOAA operational GOES spacecraft that help the agency's forecasters track life-threatening weather and solar activity that can impact the satellite-based electronics and communications industry. After five more months of tests, GOES-15 will be placed in orbital storage mode, ready for activation if any of NOAA's operational GOES spacecraft experiences trouble.

GOES-15 is the third and final spacecraft to be launched in the GOES N-P Series of geostationary environmental weather satellites. With two operational satellites, they provide weather observations that cover over 50 percent of the Earth's surface.

NASA's GOES Project is located at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. On March 24 the NASA and NOAA team began post launch verification testing, which will last for approximately 150 days. Once all the systems are checked out, the satellite will be turned over to NOAA for operational control and will be stored in-orbit, ready for activation should one of the operational GOES satellites degrade or exhaust their fuel.

NASA and NOAA's GOES-O satellite successfully launched

The latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-O, soared into space today after a successful launch from Space Launch Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The GOES-O spacecraft lifted off at 22:51 UTC on a Delta IV rocket. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-O satellite will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. The satellite is the second to be launched in the GOES N series of geostationary environmental weather satellites.

"All indications are that GOES-O is in a normal orbit, with all spacecraft systems functioning properly," stated Andre Dress, GOES deputy project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "We are proud of our support teams and pleased with the performance of the Delta IV launch vehicle."

Approximately 4 hours and 21 minutes after launch, the spacecraft separated from the launch vehicle. The Universal Space Network Western Australia tracking site in Dongara monitored the spacecraft separation.

On July 7, GOES-O will be placed in its final orbit and renamed GOES-14. Approximately 24 days after launch, Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems will turn engineering control over to NASA. About five months later, NASA will transfer operational control of GOES-14 to NOAA. The satellite will be checked out, stored in orbit and available for activation should one of the operational GOES satellites degrade or exhaust its fuel.

Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA contracted with Boeing to build and launch the GOES-O spacecraft. NASA's Launch Services Program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida supported the launch in an advisory role. NOAA manages the GOES program, establishes requirements, provides all funding and distributes environmental satellite data for the United States. Goddard procures and manages the design, development and launch of the satellites for NOAA on a cost-reimbursable basis.

Video: Behind the Scenes at the GOES-O Launch Pad

NASA is preparing for the launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-O (GOES-O) from Space Launch Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The GOES-O launch is targeted for June 26 during a launch window from 6:14 to 7:14 p.m. EDT. GOES-O will contribute the data needed for accurate NOAA forecasts for severe weather, including hurricanes that threaten at least 35 million Americans living in areas vulnerable to land-falling hurricanes.

Watch the launch live at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more info: http://www.nasa.gov/GOES-O
http://www.noaa.gov

NASA And NOAA’S GOES-O Satellite Ready For Launch

GREENBELT, Md., (NASA) — NASA is preparing for the launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-O (GOES-O) from Space Launch Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The GOES-O launch is targeted for June 26 during a launch window from 6:14 to 7:14 p.m. EDT.

“Launching GOES-O will contribute the data needed for accurate NOAA forecasts for severe weather, including hurricanes that threaten at least 35 million Americans living in areas vulnerable to land-falling hurricanes,” stated Steve Kirkner, GOES program manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

Image credit: Artist’s concept of the GOES-O spacecraft.
Credit: NASA/Honeywell Tech Solutions, C. Meaney

GOES-O is the second spacecraft to be launched in the GOES N Series of geostationary environmental weather satellites. The GOES satellites continuously provide observations of 60 percent of the Earth including the continental United States, providing weather monitoring and forecast operations as well as a continuous and reliable stream of environmental information and severe weather warnings.

GOES-O joins a system of weather satellites that provide timely environmental information to meteorologists and the public. The GOES system provides data used to graphically display the intensity, path and size of storms. Early warning of impending severe weather enhances the public’s ability to take shelter and protect property.

GOES-O will be launched on board a United Launch Alliance Delta IV (4, 2) launch vehicle under an FAA commercial license contracted out through Boeing Launch Services. The satellite will be turned over to NASA after a successful checkout is completed by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, El Segundo, Calif.

The current GOES operational system consists of GOES-12, operating as GOES East, and GOES-11, operating as GOES-West. GOES-13 is in an on-orbit storage mode nominally located at 105 west longitude. Once in orbit GOES-O will be designated GOES-14, checked out and then stored on-orbit and ready for activation should one of the operational GOES satellites degrade or exhaust their fuel.

NOAA manages the GOES program, establishes requirements, provides all funding and distributes environmental satellite data for the United States. NASA Goddard procures and manages the design, development and launch of the satellites for NOAA on a cost reimbursable basis. Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems built GOES-O.