NASA Launches Weather Satellite GOES-T Amid Climate Change Concerns
This is the moment NASA launches the GOES-T weather satellite into space to “help keep people safe” amid escalating climate change concerns.
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) satellite, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the US state of Florida on an Atlas V rocket at 4.38pm on 1st March.
The satellite, an advanced system built by Lockheed Martin, will boost weather forecasting across the West.
NASA said: “NOAA’s GOES-T is the third satellite in the GOES-R Series, the Western Hemisphere’s most sophisticated weather-observing and environmental-monitoring system.
“The GOES-R series provides advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and monitoring of space weather.
Jagdeep Shergill, Lockheed Martin’s chief engineer for GOES-R, said: “GOES-T’s launch is the culmination of innovative engineering, science and strong teamwork between NASA, NOAA and Lockheed Martin.”
Shergill added that the new weather system, which utilises the latest cutting-edge technology, will help keep people safe amid concerns of the impact of climate change on the planet.
Shergill said: “With the impact climate change has on weather patterns around the world, the work of satellites like GOES-T is more crucial than ever before, to help keep people safe now and in the future.”
The GOES-T weather satellite will be renamed GOES-18 when it reaches geostationary orbit and replaces GOES-17 in tracking wildfires, floods, droughts, and other severe weather phenomena over the US’ western coast.