New Delhi : On Wednesday, NASA successfully launched the GOES-U (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite U) with the purpose of monitoring space and Earth weather as well as large solar storms. GOES-U marks the conclusion of the GOES-R satellite series, being the fourth and last satellite, developed by NOAA and NASA. It launched on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket to geostationary orbit from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:26 pm ET.
It will take approximately two weeks for the satellite to reach geostationary orbit, at which point it will be given the new name GOES-19. "@NOAA's GOES-U is currently in route to geostationary orbit to provide assistance with satellite communication!" Elon Musk posted on his social media platform.
On the spacecraft, GOES-U consists of seven tools for gathering sophisticated images and atmospheric data, mapping lightning activity in real-time, and identifying incoming space weather threats. Additionally, newly added to the mission is a small coronagraph that will study the Sun's outer layer, known as the corona, for significant plasma explosions that may result in geomagnetic solar storms.
According to SpaceX, GOES-U will circle the Earth at a distance of approximately 35,700 km to aid in providing high-resolution imagery to weather forecasters and climate researchers, enabling earlier detection of severe weather and improving tropical cyclone forecasts, potentially saving lives.
NOAA and NASA are collaborating to create the Geostationary Extended Observations, the next generation of operational satellites in geostationary orbit.