|
20 August 2001 Excerpts: NOAA Reports New Environmental Satellite Now Is in Operation (Craft will provide data for weather, environmental analysis) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a new view of the Earth, provided by its latest environmental satellite -- the GOES-12 launched July 23 and now operational. This GOES craft -- GOES stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite -- is the first of a planned series of satellites that will carry Solar X-ray Imagers enabling scientists and solar weather forecasters to better understand and predict events on the Sun that impact activities on Earth and in orbit. GOES-12 will provide a fixed view of Earth by maintaining a geosynchronous orbit, hovering over one position on the planet, almost 36,000 kilometers in space. GOES-12 is watching North and South America, and will provide earthbound scientists with data on cloud patterns, temperatures and moisture that will be used for weather forecasting, climate monitoring and other environmental applications such as fire detection and sea temperature measurements. Following are two excerpts from NOAA press materials on the satellite: NOAA's NEW ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE SNAPS FIRST IMAGE August 17, 2001 - The nation's newest environmental satellite sent back its first clear, crisp image of the western hemisphere today, NOAA announced, which operates the satellite known as GOES-12. "GOES" stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. The GOES-12 was launched on July 23 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and achieved geostationary orbit on August 12. It is the first of the NOAA satellites equipped with a Solar X-ray Imager, an instrument that can detect solar storms. GOES-12 will be stored in orbit and will replace either GOES-8 or GOES-10 as needed. The new weather satellite will view cloud patterns, measure temperature and moisture in the atmosphere, and monitor space weather for North and South America and portions of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The satellite follows the Earth's rotation, maintaining a constant position from out 22,300 miles in space. "The success of the GOES-12 will ensure the ongoing mission of our nation's environmental satellites, maintaining a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions," said Kathy Kelly, director of satellite operations for NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service. "The GOES team is really excited about this first image. The fine-scale meteorological features stand out clearly. It's right on the mark." NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service operates the GOES series of satellites from its Suitland, Md., facility. After the satellites complete on-orbit checkout, NESDIS assumes responsibility for command and control, data receipt, and product generation and distribution. NESDIS is the nation's primary source of space-based meteorological and climate data. NESDIS' environmental satellites are used for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and other environmental applications such as fire detection, ozone monitoring, and sea surface temperature measurements. Relevant Web Sites NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite: http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goes/ NOAA's GOES Satellites: NOAA's Satellites Page (end excerpt) (begin excerpt) NOAA: OFFICE OF SATELLITE OPERATIONS Geostationary Satellites GOES satellites provide the kind of continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. They circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the equatorial plane of the Earth at a speed matching the Earth's rotation. This allows them to hover continuously over one position on the surface. The geosynchronous plane is about 35,800 km (22,300 miles) above the Earth, high enough to allow the satellites a full-disc view of the Earth. Because they stay above a fixed spot on the surface, they provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms, and hurricanes. When these conditions develop the GOES satellites are able to monitor storm development and track their movements. GOES satellite imagery is also used to estimate rainfall during the thunderstorms and hurricanes for flash flood warnings, as well as estimates snowfall accumulations and overall extent of snow cover. Such data help meteorologists issue winter storm warnings and spring snow melt advisories. Satellite sensors also detect ice fields and map the movements of sea and lake ice. (end excerpt)
|