Absolutely.
First off, I can say that I'm incredibly excited that we're going to be launching
this particular satellite.
This satellite is in a series of satellites, which are the most advanced
satellites that we have in geostationary orbit at this time.
These satellites provide weather information not only to meteorologists
and the weather community, but also to every single person.
If you use a weather app and you're using GOES data and we're
launching, again, the most advanced version of that particular satellite
today.
A great question.
When we say geostationary, what does that really mean?
Well, typically, I try to explain to people, if you're like a superhero, maybe you can fly
really high into the sky up into orbit and you have the ability to look down.
Well, geostationary means you're looking down at the planet,
but you're also rotating as fast as a planet rotates.
So you're seeing the exact same spot from where you are high in the sky or in orbit.
And what that provides you is a clear view
of all the weather that's happening well below you.
And we have that capability now, again, with the most advanced
instruments that are able to view our planet.
One of the reasons I'm so excited about it is it provides us with data
that goes into weather forecast models and it also provides us with a great view
of incredible weather situations, whether they're going to be good or bad.
The example would be during hurricane season, when we see hurricanes
coming in, coming from the actual ocean or developing
out over the ocean when those storms
develop, and more importantly, as they track to the west,
we're able to watch them throughout the entire evolution of their lifecycle.
So that pressure wave
from the from the Tongan eruption was spectacular.
It was more importantly, it was spectacular
to view from space. Meteorologists were able to see quite a few characteristics
propagate through the atmosphere with that particular eruption.
And the great news with GOES is that we have so many advanced instruments on board
that we're able to look at those particular characteristics as they propagate across the globe
and how they could impact nations down the road or downstream.
Now, in terms of wildfires,
this is another wonderful capability that we have.
We have the ability to detect wildfires even in their infancy,
the ability to actually see a wildfire develop.
And then more importantly, as we're able to see it and monitor it, we're able
to reach out to first responders and let them know exactly where it is.
And in most cases, wildfires develop out over areas that are fairly remote.
So with the ability to be able to detect them from geostationary orbit, we're able to develop
we're able to actually see a wildfire through its entire lifecycle from its development
to hopefully when we're able to respond to it and hopefully quell the actual fire itself.
So space weather, what does that actually mean?
We're talking about whether that's actually in space
between the sun and Earth.
There is an area which we actually monitor because when we have events
on the on the actual sun, they could impact us here on Earth.
And the biggest impacts that we can notice with in our daily lives are GPS
and the power grid.
Both are incredibly susceptible or more importantly, vulnerable to solar eruptions.
All kinds of solar phenomena.
And those solar phenomena are being monitored by the geostationary satellite GOES-T.
We have that capability to not only monitor it, but also forecast
because we're able to look at those particular characteristics.
But more importantly, those phenomena.
And we can actually inform decision makers on when or what
they should do according to the severity of that particular phenomena.
So our viewers can always go
to any we're using any web browser, NOAA satellites, it'll take you directly
to our website for NESDIS, which is N-E-S-D-I-S dot NOAA dot gov.
And from there, you can see a picture of the day, or you can see any of the latest imagery
from our GOES satellites.
So as a workhorse
GOES can provide us with actually some more unique capabilities.
We know about its ability to watch hurricanes develop
and move across the ocean and possibly impact the land.
But they also have the capability of looking at our atmosphere and noticing
telltale signs for aviation hazards such as turbulence.
For those of us that fly, not not not
all of us can enjoy a flight where it's a little bit bumpy, but thankfully GOES
can provide us with the information and forecasters the information
so they can actually forecast those particular bumpy rides.
Another capability is its ability to again detect fire.
We call them hotspots.
It has the ability to detect these hotspots where there's a volcanic eruption
or whether it's an actual developing wildfire.
And with those with that new capability,
we're able to tell decision makers
exactly what we're seeing and more importantly, they can react as quick as possible.
So GOES can help
a lot of a lot of communities, not only meteorologists. In particular,
for those of us that like outdoor events, I've been known
to go to a few outside concerts here and there.
But the big concern for anyone going outside these days is going to be lightning.
We now have a capability to see lightning with the GOES satellite.
It provides us not only with the ability to see lightning,
but also anticipate lightning and its development.
And consequently, meteorologists can then alert officials that, hey, this particular storm
that's going to be moving into the area is prone to develop lightning.
So it's a good rea-
That's a good reason why we always have a rain plan for any kind of outdoor activity
All right.
So a little known fact.
Our satellite carries a suite of packages and one of its capabilities
is part of search and rescue.
So for those that may have gotten either lost at sea
or a little too far from where you really wanted to be,
thanks to GPS, we have the capability of actually locating that individual.
And through our communications
with our partners, we're able to notify local authorities and local officials on
if someone is actually lost
And again,
I'm extremely excited for this launch today because when it comes down to it,
as a meteorologist, this is the best tool that's going to be available.
Go GOES-T.