JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A long-anticipated launch of a weather satellite, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R Series (GOES-R,) occured in the last moment of the hour long launch window Saturday evening. The launch was originally scheduled take place at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 5:45 p.m. Click here to see a schedule for the launch. The launch had been pushed back a few times due to technical issues prior to today's attempt. The Launch Complex 41 housed the GOES-R aboard an Atlas V 541 rocket. Saturday's launch encountered a delay shortly after 5:30 in the afternoon, a launch vehicle issue arose. At that point the team was down to T-4 in the countdown and went into a holding pattern until the issue could be resolved. Saturday's launch window was scheduled from 5:42 p.m. to 6:42 p.m. NASA updated the "no earlier than" launch time in five minute increments as the teams worked to resolve the launch vehicle issue, trying to make it before the 6:42 p.m. window ended. Shortly after 6:30 the launch vehicle issue was resolved and the launch sequence continued. A small technical issue then arose- the team of scientists then pushed the anticipated launch time back to the last possible moment within today's launch window, 6:42 p.m, in order to give the team the longest possible window of time to resolve the issue. The team was able to resolve the issue and at 6:42 p.m. the Atlas V rocket fired up and took the revolutionary weather satellite GOES-R into space
You can watch the launch video on the NASA app on your smartphone or tablet.
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According to NASA, GOES-R, which will be known as GOES-16 once it reaches geostationary orbit, will be placed in the 89.5° checkout orbit where it will undergo an extended checkout and validation phase of approximately one year. The satellite will transition to operations immediately afterward.
GOES-R’s operational orbit has not yet been determined. The final decision will be based on the health/safety/performance of the GOES constellation. NOAA’s Office of Satellite and Product Operations will be responsible for determining the operational orbit for GOES-R. For a look at the features of GOES-R, click here.
GOES-R is expected to revolutionize certain aspects of weather monitoring and forecasting with several new features. The Weather Authority Meteorologists John, Richard, Rebecca & Mark will use the information from GOES-R to improve the forecasting of your local weather.
The most recent GOES program launch was GOES-P on March 4th, 2010, which currently acts as GOES West.
The GOES Program
Since 1975, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) have provided continuous imagery and data on atmospheric conditions and solar activity (space weather). They have even aided in search and rescue of people in distress. GOES data products have led to more accurate and timely weather forecasts and better understanding of long-term climate conditions. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) builds and launches the GOES, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates them.
The satellites circle the Earth in geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the equatorial plane of the earth at a speed matching the Earth’s rotation. This allows them to stay in a fixed position in the sky, remaining stationary with respect to a point on the ground. The satellites continually view the continental United States, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Central and South America, and Southern Canada. The satellites operate approximately 22,300 miles above Earth.
The GOES Fleet
The GOES satellites operate from two primary locations. GOES East is located at 75° W and provides most of the U.S. weather information. GOES West is located at 135°W over the Pacific Ocean. NOAA also maintains an on-orbit spare GOES satellite in the event of an anomaly or failure of GOES East or GOES West.
The Launch Vehicle
The Launch Vehicle that will place the GOES-R and GOES-S satellites into geosynchronous orbit will be an Atlas V 541 expendable launch vehicle (ELV). The term expendable launch vehicle means each vehicle is only used once. The three numbers in the 541 designation signify a payload fairing, or nose cone, that is approximately 5 meters (16.4 feet) in diameter; four solid-rocket boosters fastened alongside the central common core booster; and a one-engine Centaur upper stage.
The GOES-R and GOES-S spacecraft will launch in 2016 and 2018, respectively aboard Atlas V 541 rockets from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
A launch vehicle is chosen based on how much mass the vehicle can lift into space. A two-stage Atlas V 541 launch vehicle was selected for the GOES-R and S launches because it has the right liftoff capability for the heavy weight requirements.