NASA, NOAA Launch Next Generation GOES-R Weather Satellite

The collaborative effort of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had been beneficial to human life. And in a move to further enhance the benefits of the partnership, NASA and NOAA will launch the next generation of weather satellites.

The new satellite is expected to provide even better weather forecasts. It will also enable more accurate warning systems for disasters such as flooding. The new satellites will also capable of a more advanced tracking systems for as clouds, wildfires, and plumes.

The new NOAA GOES-R weather satellite was launched last Nov. 19 aboard the Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base launch pad in Florida, according to Huffington Post. The satellite will be placed 22,300 miles above the planet and will take the name GOES-16 once in orbit.

"The next generation of weather satellites is finally here. GOES-R is one of the most sophisticated Earth-observing platforms ever devised," NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D. said in a NOAA press release. "GOES-R's instruments will be capable of scanning the planet five times faster and with four times more resolution than any other satellite in our fleet," Sullivan added.

GOES-R is said to 'revolutionize' weather forecasting with its new and innovative features that will definitely improve the agency's 'life-saving' warnings and forecasts. Based on NOAA's report, the new satellite is capable of scanning the sky five times faster compared to the GOES spacecraft. The new satellite will also be able to capture images with four times higher resolution compared to its predecessor.

Aside from that, GOES-R has three times the spectral channel at it boasts of its new rapid-refresh imagery for every 30 seconds; this will give the new satellite an advantage in looking at storms and in determining their strength.

GOES-R is also prepared to tackle more life-threatening weather conditions such as hurricanes and can provide faster prediction and warnings for a more prompt preparation and evacuation if needed. NOAA manages the GOES-R series programs while NASA oversees the acquisition of the satellite's instruments.

"NOAA and NASA have partnered for decades on successful environmental satellite missions," Sandra Smalley, director of NASA's Joint Agency Satellite Division said in the same press release. "Today's launch continues that partnership and provides the basis for future collaboration in developing advanced weather satellites," Smalley added.

GOES-R is also expected to become an instrument for scientific research under SARSAT, an international satellite-based network focused on research and network.