GOES-R 101

2:54

0:02 Weather is always changing and the better we can predict what's coming, the better we
0:07 can prepare.
0:08 The GOES-R series, NOAA's next-generation geostationary weather satellites will be a
0:14 game-changer for weather forecasting.
0:17 For the first time, GOES-R, which will be called GOES-16 once its operational in space,
0:24 will be able to monitor the Earth in near-real time.
0:27 Using a powerful new instrument called the Advanced Baseline Imager, GOES-R gathers data
0:33 and imagery about weather over the Western Hemisphere as frequently as every 30 seconds.
0:40 This enables NOAA to gather data with three times more channels, four times better resolution,
0:46 five times faster than before.
0:48 Faster, more accurate data means better observations of phenomena like severe storms, fire, smoke,
0:56 aerosols, and volcanic ash.
0:59 But this is not the only new instrument aboard the satellite.
1:02 GOES-R is flying another powerful technology called the Geostationary Lightning Mapper.
1:09 This instrument can not only measure when lightning strikes the ground but also lightning
1:14 activity in the clouds that is charging the atmosphere.
1:17 Researchers have found that an increase in lightning activity may be a sign that tornadoes
1:22 will form.
1:23 GLM will change the way forecasters look at severe weather to provide faster and more
1:29 accurate warnings.
1:31 All of this new technology means forecasters at NOAA's National Weather Service will have
1:35 valuable tools to improve predictions of severe weather events like hurricanes, providing
1:40 faster warnings to emergency managers to help save lives and protect communities.
1:46 Space Weather is serious business in the twenty first century as much of modern life relies
1:51 on sophisticated electronic systems.
1:54 Working with other NOAA satellites, GOES-R will observe space weather with a suite of
1:59 instruments that collect information about radiation hazards from the sun.
2:03 Space weather can interfere with communications and navigation systems, damage satellite electrical
2:09 systems, cause risks to astronauts, and threaten power utilities.
2:14 NOAA launched its first geostationary satellite more than 40 years ago.
2:19 Since then, the invaluable data from GOES satellites has been essential to countless
2:24 industries like aviation, sea transport and communications that rely on weather data.
2:30 Sitting 22,300 miles above the Earth, the advanced technologies flying on the GOES-R
2:37 series of satellites take weather forecasting to new heights.