New NOAA GOES-U satellite will track weather for most of Western Hemisphere

NOAA's GOES-U satellite successfully launched into orbit on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The satellite, which will be renamed GOES-19 upon reaching geostationary orbit, is equipped with advanced technology to enhance real-time weather observations. Notably, it carries the first operational satellite solar coronagraph to detect hazardous space weather. This launch marks the completion of the GOES-R series, ensuring data availability for NOAA forecasters into the 2030s. The satellite will provide crucial data for tracking severe weather events globally, complementing the existing GOES-18 satellite. NOAA and NASA are already planning the next mission, GeoXO, to further advance environmental monitoring capabilities. The successful deployment of GOES-U signifies a significant milestone in advancing weather forecasting and monitoring systems for the Western Hemisphere.