SATELLITE COULD CHANGE FORECASTING The GOES-16 can scan faster and with more detail
More than 20,000 miles above the weather radio in your home is a new satellite in Earth's orbit, which is a game-changer for severe weather forecasters.
The GOES-16 weather satellite is capable of scanning the planet five times faster and with four times higher resolution than any other satellite in our country's fleet.
Currently situated at 89.5 degrees longitude over the equator, the satellite will be in “test mode” this hurricane season.
Launched from Cape Canaveral at the end of last year, preliminary GOES-16 data is already making its way to the National Weather Service in Miami.
The satellite’s new rapid scan imaging mode will be fully operational in November, according to program scientist Steve Goodman.
“Currently we get data every 7.5 minutes. That's the fastest we can update the imagery today, but with GOES-16, we will get updates as frequently as every 30 seconds,” Goodman said.
GOES-16 is in a geosynchronous orbit, which means the satellite will stay over a specific location on Earth, monitoring atmospheric conditions in that particular portion of the Earth’s atmosphere.
GOES-16 is flying six new instruments, including the first operational lightning mapper in geostationary orbit.
“I’m looking forward to watching TV to see lightning — the animations you’ll be able to make with this data; that’s the whole point, that’s what we’re all about — more accurate and effective warnings so that we can save lives,” Goodman said.