GOES-U Provides Earth With Advanced Imagery and Weather Measurements

SpaceX has been selected by NASA to provide launch services for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-U mission. 

GOES-U will provide advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s weather, oceans, and environment, as well as real-time mapping of total lightning activity and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather.

By studying lightning, NASA scientists are working to develop new ways to help forecast the intensity of incoming hurricanes. According to NASA, GOES observations have proven helpful in monitoring dust storms, volcanic eruptions and forest fires.

Geostationary satellites circle the Earth in geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the Earth’s equatorial plane at a speed matching the Earth’s rotation.

The total cost for NASA to launch GOES-U is approximately $152.5 million, which includes the launch service and other mission-related costs.

GOES-U is the fourth and final spacecraft in the GOES-R Series of geostationary weather satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The GOES-U mission aims to launch in April 2024 on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

On October 16, 1975, NOAA’s first Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GOES-1 returned it’s first imagery nine days after launching and became an essential component to NOAA. GOES-1 remained active throughout the launches of GOES-2-6, until finally being decommissioned on March 7, 1985, according to NOAA.

The GOES-R Series is a joint effort between NASA and NOAA and includes GOES-R, GOES-S, GOES-T, and GOES-U.

FMI: www.nasa.gov