NOAA’s Next Weather Satellite is Ready for Liftoff: How to Watch the GOES-T Launch

NOAA is ready to launch the next weather satellite in its Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites- R Series, called GOES-T to orbit. The GOES-T satellite is launching on a ULA Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 1st, 2022 at 3:38 p.m. CST.

NASA will provide live launch coverage beginning at 3:00 p.m. CST on NASA TV, on the NASA App, and on the NASA website and YouTube channel.

GOES-T will be renamed GOES-18 once it is launched into orbit and is the third of four satellites in NOAA’s most advanced fleet of geostationary weather satellites to date. The other satellites in the program include GOES-R, GOES-S, and GOES-U.

Illustration of the GOES-T spacecraft with Earth’s reflection, Credit: Lockheed Martin

Together the series of satellites will conduct weather and environmental observing activities that include monitoring weather systems, monitoring weather hazards, conduct ocean observations, observe space weather, conduct lightning mapping, and perform solar mapping among dozens of other applications.

An Atlas V rocket carrying GOES-T rolls out to the pad ahead of its launch. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

NASA supports the GOES-R mission and is inviting the public to follow along to learn more about the GOES-T satellite, the upcoming launch, and the science involved in weather observation. Register for NASA’s public launch event and access launch resources, a launch passport, and mission activities.

This article was previously published by Sophie Sanchez on ChicagoNow.