Next Generation of Weather Satellites Launches Saturday

A brand new satellite it's going to make it's debut in space this Saturday, November 19th as it launches from Cape Canaveral, FL at 5:42pm ET. This never before seen weather satellite called, GOES-R, will scan North America and help in many ways.

Image via NASA

This satellite has many improvements in comparison to the current one orbiting Earth. One stand-out component to this new satellite is that it will collect images of the Earth in almost real-time nonstop.

Some other improvements that the GOES-R satellite will have include:

• Improved hurricane track and intensity forecasts

• Increased thunderstorm and tornado warning lead time

• Earlier warning of ground lightning strike hazards

• Better detection of heavy rainfall and flash flooding risks

• Improved aviation flight route planningImproved air quality warnings and alerts

• Better fire detection and intensity estimation

• Improved solar flare warnings for communications and navigation disruptions

• More accurate monitoring of energetic particles responsible for radiation hazards to humans and spacecraft

• Better monitoring of space weather to improve geomagnetic storm forecasting

Image via goes-r.gov

Here's a video detailing the GOES-R satellite from NOAA Satellites:

For more information on the GOES-R satellite, visit goes-r.gov.

#science #space