Increasing National Resilience with Cutting-Edge Weather Satellite Technology

In the quest for precision and timeliness in weather forecasting, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Lockheed Martin have embarked on a groundbreaking journey. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) Series has redefined our ability to monitor and predict weather patterns, offering not just scientific advancements but a robust infrastructure that fortifies national resilience and empowers data-informed decision making.

Since the GOES-R series launched its first satellite in November 2016, it has been a beacon of weather and climate innovation. This satellite, followed by its successors GOES-S and GOES-T, has transformed how we observe weather and environmental changes. The series is now poised to culminate with the launch of GOES-U in June 2024, marking a pivotal moment in environmental intelligence.

Enhanced Satellite Features Mean Better Visibility, Faster

Thanks to the GOES-R satellite series, meteorologists can predict severe weather with unprecedented accuracy. It offers 4x better resolution than earlier generations of GOES satellites, with full scans of the Earth every 5 minutes and up to 30 seconds of an area with severe storms. This gives emergency responders the data they need to protect communities and gives policymakers the ability to make informed decisions to safeguard our future. The GOES-R series brings these capabilities to life through its state-of-the-art instrumentation and advanced imaging capabilities.

Monitoring Lightning: Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM)

The GLM is a revolutionary sensor aboard the GOES-R series, providing real-time detection and monitoring of lightning activity across the western hemisphere. Its rapid detection capabilities aid in issuing timely warnings for severe weather events.

Tracking Solar Activity: Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI)

The SUVI captures high-resolution images of the Sun's ultraviolet emissions, enabling scientists to monitor solar activity and its impact on Earth's atmosphere and space environment. Its observations feed directly into NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. This information is crucial for forecasting geomagnetic storms and understanding the Sun-Earth connection.

Protecting Tech Infrastructure: Compact Coronagraph (CCOR)

The Compact Coronagraph (CCOR), developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and integrated onto GOES-U for the first time, will observe the Sun’s corona to detect coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Early detection of CMEs is vital for predicting space weather events that can impact satellite operations and communication systems. CCOR’s observations will play a crucial role in protecting our technological infrastructure.

The real-time, high-precision information provided by the GOES-R satellite series is indispensable for bolstering national resilience. During natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires and severe storms, the accurate and timely data from these satellites support emergency response efforts, resource allocation and recovery planning. This proactive approach significantly mitigates the impact of such events across the country. Information provided by GOES has already saved organizations billions of dollars on equipment costs and labor.

But the value of the GOES-R series extends beyond immediate disaster preparedness. The data these satellites provide is a cornerstone for long-term strategic planning and decision making. Policymakers and researchers can use the comprehensive data from GOES-R to analyze climate trends, assess environmental changes and develop sustainable practices. The insights gained could inform policies that tackle climate change, improve agricultural productivity, and enhance water resource management, shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.

The Future: Advancing the Legacy with GeoXO

As the space and weather communities celebrate the achievements of the GOES-R series, NOAA is also looking to the future with its Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) program. Set to succeed the current fleet in the early 2030s, GeoXO promises to elevate our understanding of Earth's systems even further. With advanced technologies and entirely new capabilities, GeoXO will capture real-time high-resolution imagery and data on lightning activity, aerosols and air quality, land surface temperatures, ocean color and ecosystem health, and monitor extreme weather events with greater precision across the Western Hemisphere.

GeoXO will continue the mission of supporting national resilience and decision making through space-based observations, providing the tools and data needed to navigate the challenges of tomorrow. This next-generation program represents the next chapter in our journey to understand and protect our planet.