Colorado-Built Weather Satellite Embarks on Journey to Kennedy Space Center
In a remarkable display of Colorado's prowess in space technology, a cutting-edge satellite that will revolutionize weather forecasting made its way from Aurora to Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Monday.
The GOES-U, a state-of-the-art satellite built on Lockheed Martin's Littleton campus in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is poised to deliver accurate and timely weather information, including the tracking and monitoring of wildfires.
GOES-U is lowered into the thermal vacuum chamber. (Credit: Lockheed Martin)
The GOES-U, roughly the size of a small bus, embarked on its journey to Florida inside the C-5M Super Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's fleet. This impressive feat symbolizes the collaborative effort between Colorado's aerospace industry and the military, highlighting the state's significant contribution to space technology advancement.
Scheduled for launch in April, the GOES-U will orbit the Earth for approximately ten years, supplying critical weather data to enhance forecasting accuracy. The satellite's advanced capabilities will not only assist in predicting and monitoring hurricanes but also provide invaluable information in pinpointing and tracking the origins of devastating wildfires.
This remarkable satellite, designed to track hazardous weather phenomena such as hurricanes, will play a pivotal role in the development of prediction models, enabling scientists to anticipate and prepare for potential disasters.
The testing of NOAA’s GOES-U satellite was conducted at Lockheed Martin Space’s Littleton, Colorado, facility, where GOES-U was built. (Credits: Lockheed Martin)
Dan Lindsey, NOAA's Chief Scientist for the project, emphasized the importance of these models in safeguarding lives and property. "It's those models that tell us where the storm is going to be five days from now... and that way we can evacuate the coast or do what needs to be done in order to prepare," Lindsey explained.
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Colorado's involvement in this groundbreaking project underscores the state's position as a hub for innovation and scientific achievement. The successful construction and impending launch of the GOES-U exemplify the exceptional talent and expertise found within the Colorado aerospace community.