MISSION OVERVIEW A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 541 rocket will deliver the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-T spacecraft to an optimized geosynchronous transfer orbit. The optimized orbit places GOES-T closer to its final destination thereby conserving the satellite’s fuel supply for longer mission life. The mission is conducted in collaboration with […]
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Payload Encapsulation The United Launch Alliance Atlas V payload fairings are being secured around NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) inside the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Florida. The payload fairing (PLF) provides a controlled, safe environment for spacecraft during ascent. This will be the last view of GOES-T here on earth! Photo credit: […]
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Atlas V 541 rocket Assembly United Launch Alliance (ULA) technicians have assembled the Atlas V 541 rocket to launch the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-T spacecraft. Assembly of the rocket, designated AV-095, began on Jan. 31, 2022, The 107-foot (33-meter) long first stage was delivered to the VIF, hoisted […]
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It’s a small world after all…. Thinking of all the people from all around the world I have met through this nerdy hobby, and all the various countries they come from, I decided to try and map them out, on a global basis. There are lots and lots of sites that allow you to create […]
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Preparing GOES-T for Encapsulation February 4, 2022. At Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Florida, technicians are now moving NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T). The spacecraft is being prepared for encapsulation inside its protective payload fairings. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett GOES-T is scheduled to launch on March 1, 2022, atop a United Launch Alliance […]
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NOAA’s GOES-T ‘Starting to Come Together’ GOES-T LAUNCH COUNTDOWN An activity completed at Astrotech’s Space Operations facility in Titusville today brings NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite T (GOES-T) mission one significant step closer to its March 1, 2022, liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in just over a month. On Jan. 27, 2022, the […]
Read MoreNOAA Should Reassess Geostationary Satellite Launch Plans The Commerce Department Inspector General warned last week that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may be increasing risk in the development of its environmental satellites. OIG auditors did not ask for a delay of GOES-T’s launch, they did ask NOAA to conduct an analysis of alternatives regarding whether to […]
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Rocket Stacking underway for GOES-T United Launch Alliance, has started stacking the Atlas 5 that will launch GOES-T. The spacecraft, encapsulated within its five-meter payload fairing, is scheduled to be installed on the rocket Feb. 15 for final tests before rollout and launch. The four GEM 63 solid rocket boosters and the Centaur upper stage […]
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Hunga Tonga Hunga Haʻapai Eruption On 20 December 2021 Hunga Tonga Hunga Haʻapai erupted after being relatively inactive since 2014, causing a large plume that was visible from Nukuʻalofa. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Wellington NZ issued an advisory to airlines. Explosions could be heard up to 170 kilometers (110 mi) away. The initial eruption continued until 2 am on […]
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So, for a little over two years now, I have been receiving, directly, GOES 16,17, and Himawari 8, along with various APT satellites like Meteor M2 and NOAA 15,18, and 19. I have stored about 3.8 Terrabytes of data from these sats, and, if you’ve been following along on my website, I a constantly trying […]
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