A new American weather satellite could save more lives by better predicting extreme weather conditions. The satellite was launched in the state of Florida on November 19, 2016. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as NOAA, has been working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the project.
NOAA officials are calling the new satellite GOES-R. That is short for a much longer name the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series.
NOAA said GOES-R could improve the nation's ability to observe weather conditions and make weather predictions. It said the satellite's device would lead to more exact and timely weather forecasts, watches and warnings.
The government agency said the satellite will require testing of its six instruments and will be ready to work "within a year. " One of the six instruments on the satellite is designed to help scientists study lightning strikes and map them. This, NOAA says, will help the agency follow the movement of severe storms and provide more detailed warnings.
"The next generation of weather satellites is finally here," said NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan. She described GOES-R as one of the most effective Earth-observing machines ever created. Sullivan said its instruments will be able to study Earth five times faster and with four times more details than any other NOAA satellite currently in operation. An NOAA statement said the greater detail will help improve the agency's study of ocean storms, as well as "the prediction and warnings of severe weather. " In addition, GOES-R will be able to provide improved rainfall estimates, which will lead to more timely and detailed flood warnings.
Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA in short, says that the GOES-R satellite will improve the ability of people and organizations across America to prepare for, and react to, weather-related disasters.
