The successful GOES-U satellite launch this week marks a significant milestone in weather observation and environmental monitoring. GOES-U is the latest addition to NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) system, renowned for providing critical data that enhances weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, and climate research. GOES-U, the fourth and final satellite in the GOES-R series, will continue the legacy of its predecessors by delivering high-resolution imagery and atmospheric measurements.
Looking ahead, NOAA is preparing for the launch of the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) program. NOAA Climate Program Office staff from the Atmospheric Chemistry, Carbon Cycle and Climate (AC4) Program and Earth’s Radiation Budget (ERB) Program are involved in this ground-breaking mission. GeoXO is set to revolutionize weather monitoring and environmental data collection even further, with enhanced capabilities designed to address the growing needs of weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster response. The GeoXO satellites will improve on GOES-R’s visible/infrared imagery and lightning mapping capabilities and include hyperspectral sounding, atmospheric composition, and ocean color observations to provide even more detailed and timely data, supporting a wide range of applications from weather and air quality forecasting to agricultural planning.
AC4 Program Manager Monika Kopacz was present at Tuesday’s GOES-U launch, celebrating this historic occasion with her family. The successful deployment of GOES-U and the forthcoming GeoXO program underscore NOAA’s commitment to advancing our understanding of Earth’s dynamic systems and enhancing our ability to respond to environmental challenges, aggravated by climate change.
Learn more about the GOES-U launch »
For more information, contact Shiv Das.
