Music begins--
Narrator: The year is 2036, and new generation of geostationary
weather satellites called GeoXO is orbiting Earth
to keep watch over the Western Hemisphere.
This new generation is made up of three satellites:
GEO East, GEO Center,
and GEO West.
The three-satellite constellation is measuring, monitoring, and watching
events across the United States all at the same time.
Using data from current satellites,
we can imagine what this new generation will see.
On this particular day,
the constellation is using the Atmospheric Composition
and the Infrared Sounder instruments to monitor air quality.
Today, the air quality is particularly poor
in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Health officials used the satellite data to issue an air quality warning,
encouraging residents to remain indoors
or limit their time outside.
The satellites are also informing communities and first responders
further north where thunderstorms are rolling through.
The GeoXO Sounder is monitoring the region
and alerts forecasters to the potential for severe weather.
The GeoXO Imager is providing near real-time,
high-resolution imagery of the storm.
And the lightning mapper detects an increase in lightning activity
as the storms strengthen.
As day turns into night,
the storms become stronger with an uptick in lightning
in areas packed to the brim with dry vegetation.
Concern for the development of wildfires grows.
With the help of GeoXO, the National Weather Service and
local forecasters warn the public of the storms
and alert firefighters to the potential ignition of wildfires.
Multiple fires have ignited.
The GeoXO Imager monitors the size, intensity, and movement of each fire
helping to keep wildland firefighters and nearby communities safe.
The smoke produced by these fires is spreading across the U.S.
causing the air quality to worsen.
The Atmospheric Composition and Imager instruments help to inform
vulnerable communities about the thick smoke and poor air quality.
While GeoXO is helping fight fires and smoke in the West,
another threat is forming in the Gulf of Mexico
just offshore of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Recently, runoff from flooding due to a hurricane
stirred up bacteria in the water.
The area is also affected by chemical runoff from farther upstream.
Using special filters within the GeoXO ocean color sensor,
scientists determine what species of algae is blooming
and produce models to measure the extent of the bloom.
Today, the ocean color sensor detected the potential
for the presence of cyanobacteria
the toxic kind of algae.
Local officials use this data to issue public beach warnings
to prevent people from getting sick.
This early warning can also help drinking water utilities
take evasive action to keep tap water safe from toxins.
After one storm stirred up sediments off the Gulf Coast,
another is churning in waters farther south.
In the Gulf of Mexico, GeoXO satellites monitor
a hurricane headed for southwest Florida.
Together, the imager and lightning mapper provide minute-by-minute
monitoring of the structure of the storm,
lightning activity within the storm, and path the hurricane takes.
The Sounder further improves the hurricane track and intensity forecast.
Sounder data gives insights into the winds in the clear air
surrounding the storm, not just near tops of the clouds.
This data helps models and forecasters to predict
the future movement of the storm.
Along with forecast model information,
this prompts officials to issue an evacuation order to residents
likely to be affected by the storm.
The GeoXO instruments work together to provide
near real-time information to forecasters,
decision-makers,
and first responders.
From severe weather and hurricane warnings
to air quality,
wildfires,
and marine hazards,
GeoXO contributes to the protection of life
and property within the United States.
All in a day’s work.