SpaceX has successfully launched a new weather satellite aboard its Falcon Heavy rocket. The satellite, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) GOES-U mission, is the final member of a next-generation weather satellite constellation that will provide continuous coverage of both Earth and space weather.
The launch took place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the first launch for Falcon Heavy this year and its tenth launch overall. The GOES system, which stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, has been instrumental in delivering continuous imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s Western Hemisphere, mapping lightning activity in real-time, and monitoring solar activity and space weather.
The GOES-U satellite is equipped with a new compact coronagraph that will image the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere to detect and characterize coronal mass ejections. This addition to the satellite constellation will not only enhance weather forecasting on Earth but also provide valuable insights into space weather conditions.
The satellites in the constellation orbit at an altitude of 22,236 miles above Earth’s equator, allowing them to maintain fixed positions over specific geographic regions and provide continuous coverage over time. Falcon Heavy flew with three brand new boosters, with the rocket’s two side cores attempting landings at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for future flights.
Overall, the successful launch of the GOES-U satellite aboard Falcon Heavy marks a significant milestone in advancing our understanding of both Earth and space weather. Stay tuned for more updates on spaceflight activities and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page for the latest news.
