GOES-T satellite launched; Check its use

Sakshi Education

On March 1, the GOES-T satellite was launched into space on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. About 3.5 hours after lift-off, GOES-T was deployed from the Atlas V’s upper stage.
GOES-T is the latest spacecraft in the USD 11.7 billion Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R series launched by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The satellite is on its way to geostationary orbit, approximately 35,900 kilometres above Earth.
After having reached geostationary orbit, it will be renamed as GOES-18. Then, it will start a lengthy commissioning period.
It will be initially placed around 89.5 degrees west longitude, which is the central United States, where it will commence post-launch testing for the next few months.
In May, it will be placed approximately 137 degrees west, over the eastern Pacific Ocean and in early 2023, the GOES-18 will replace GOES-17.
GOES-T will be used for monitoring wildfires across the western United States, including Hawaii and Alaska and storms across the Pacific Ocean. Tracking the smoke from the wildfires will be crucial as information can be provided to the fire-fighters and the public regarding the hotspots.

Published date : 03 Mar 2022 06:10PM