New Weather Satellite Captures Its First Thermal Images Of Earth

GOES-15, the final spacecraft in the latest series of NOAA geostationary satellites, took its first infrared image of Earth on April 26.

Image Courtesy NOAA

GOES spacecraft help NOAA forecasters track dangerous weather conditions and solar activity that can impact the satellite-based electronics and communications industry.

Infrared imagery is critical for accurate weather forecasts, revealing a range of information -- from the swirling motion of clouds and sea-surface temperatures, to moisture profiles of the atmosphere and the movement of smoke plumes from wildfires

GOES-15 was launched March 4, 2010, from Cape Canaveral, FL. After approximately five more months of tests, NASA will officially “hand over” the satellite to NOAA, which will place it in orbital storage mode. GOES-15 will be ready for activation if any of NOAA’s other four geostationary spacecraft experiences trouble.

Image Courtesy NOAA

NOAA works to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean, to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

FMI: www.noaa.gov