1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,200 Music begins-- 2 00:00:01,466 --> 00:00:05,800 Narrator: The year is 2036, and new generation of geostationary 3 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,800 weather satellites called GeoXO is orbiting Earth 4 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:11,800 to keep watch over the Western Hemisphere. 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,200 This new generation is made up of three satellites: 6 00:00:15,666 --> 00:00:17,900 GEO East, GEO Center, 7 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:19,800 and GEO West. 8 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:24,266 The three-satellite constellation is measuring, monitoring, and watching 9 00:00:24,266 --> 00:00:27,733 events across the United States all at the same time. 10 00:00:28,466 --> 00:00:30,700 Using data from current satellites, 11 00:00:30,700 --> 00:00:33,700 we can imagine what this new generation will see. 12 00:00:34,966 --> 00:00:36,333 On this particular day, 13 00:00:36,333 --> 00:00:39,366 the constellation is using the Atmospheric Composition 14 00:00:39,366 --> 00:00:42,400 and the Infrared Sounder instruments to monitor air quality. 15 00:00:43,966 --> 00:00:46,400 Today, the air quality is particularly poor 16 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:48,566 in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. 17 00:00:50,066 --> 00:00:53,933 Health officials used the satellite data to issue an air quality warning, 18 00:00:53,933 --> 00:00:56,166 encouraging residents to remain indoors 19 00:00:56,166 --> 00:00:57,766 or limit their time outside. 20 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:02,500 The satellites are also informing communities and first responders 21 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:05,133 further north where thunderstorms are rolling through. 22 00:01:05,933 --> 00:01:08,933 The GeoXO Sounder is monitoring the region 23 00:01:08,933 --> 00:01:11,466 and alerts forecasters to the potential for severe weather. 24 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:15,100 The GeoXO Imager is providing near real-time, 25 00:01:15,100 --> 00:01:16,966 high-resolution imagery of the storm. 26 00:01:17,666 --> 00:01:20,666 And the lightning mapper detects an increase in lightning activity 27 00:01:20,666 --> 00:01:21,966 as the storms strengthen. 28 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:25,700 As day turns into night, 29 00:01:25,933 --> 00:01:28,833 the storms become stronger with an uptick in lightning 30 00:01:28,833 --> 00:01:31,200 in areas packed to the brim with dry vegetation. 31 00:01:33,133 --> 00:01:35,933 Concern for the development of wildfires grows. 32 00:01:37,300 --> 00:01:40,633 With the help of GeoXO, the National Weather Service and 33 00:01:40,633 --> 00:01:43,433 local forecasters warn the public of the storms 34 00:01:43,433 --> 00:01:46,400 and alert firefighters to the potential ignition of wildfires. 35 00:01:48,366 --> 00:01:50,300 Multiple fires have ignited. 36 00:01:50,633 --> 00:01:55,366 The GeoXO Imager monitors the size, intensity, and movement of each fire 37 00:01:55,533 --> 00:01:59,066 helping to keep wildland firefighters and nearby communities safe. 38 00:02:00,966 --> 00:02:04,066 The smoke produced by these fires is spreading across the U.S. 39 00:02:04,066 --> 00:02:05,966 causing the air quality to worsen. 40 00:02:06,533 --> 00:02:10,000 The Atmospheric Composition and Imager instruments help to inform 41 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,533 vulnerable communities about the thick smoke and poor air quality. 42 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,966 While GeoXO is helping fight fires and smoke in the West, 43 00:02:18,500 --> 00:02:21,233 another threat is forming in the Gulf of Mexico 44 00:02:21,233 --> 00:02:24,733 just offshore of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. 45 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:30,166 Recently, runoff from flooding due to a hurricane 46 00:02:30,166 --> 00:02:31,933 stirred up bacteria in the water. 47 00:02:32,433 --> 00:02:36,000 The area is also affected by chemical runoff from farther upstream. 48 00:02:37,033 --> 00:02:40,766 Using special filters within the GeoXO ocean color sensor, 49 00:02:40,933 --> 00:02:43,800 scientists determine what species of algae is blooming 50 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:46,266 and produce models to measure the extent of the bloom. 51 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,200 Today, the ocean color sensor detected the potential 52 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:52,333 for the presence of cyanobacteria 53 00:02:52,566 --> 00:02:54,166 the toxic kind of algae. 54 00:02:55,166 --> 00:02:58,633 Local officials use this data to issue public beach warnings 55 00:02:58,733 --> 00:03:00,433 to prevent people from getting sick. 56 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,800 This early warning can also help drinking water utilities 57 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,966 take evasive action to keep tap water safe from toxins. 58 00:03:08,033 --> 00:03:11,233 After one storm stirred up sediments off the Gulf Coast, 59 00:03:11,766 --> 00:03:14,166 another is churning in waters farther south. 60 00:03:15,066 --> 00:03:17,933 In the Gulf of Mexico, GeoXO satellites monitor 61 00:03:17,933 --> 00:03:20,366 a hurricane headed for southwest Florida. 62 00:03:20,866 --> 00:03:24,466 Together, the imager and lightning mapper provide minute-by-minute 63 00:03:24,466 --> 00:03:26,300 monitoring of the structure of the storm, 64 00:03:26,300 --> 00:03:29,866 lightning activity within the storm, and path the hurricane takes. 65 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,933 The Sounder further improves the hurricane track and intensity forecast. 66 00:03:34,066 --> 00:03:37,033 Sounder data gives insights into the winds in the clear air 67 00:03:37,033 --> 00:03:40,166 surrounding the storm, not just near tops of the clouds. 68 00:03:40,666 --> 00:03:43,400 This data helps models and forecasters to predict 69 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:44,966 the future movement of the storm. 70 00:03:45,266 --> 00:03:47,333 Along with forecast model information, 71 00:03:47,333 --> 00:03:50,433 this prompts officials to issue an evacuation order to residents 72 00:03:50,433 --> 00:03:52,366 likely to be affected by the storm. 73 00:03:54,633 --> 00:03:57,400 The GeoXO instruments work together to provide 74 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,133 near real-time information to forecasters, 75 00:04:00,133 --> 00:04:01,166 decision-makers, 76 00:04:01,333 --> 00:04:02,766 and first responders. 77 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:05,966 From severe weather and hurricane warnings 78 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:06,966 to air quality, 79 00:04:07,133 --> 00:04:08,033 wildfires, 80 00:04:08,133 --> 00:04:09,600 and marine hazards, 81 00:04:09,833 --> 00:04:12,766 GeoXO contributes to the protection of life 82 00:04:12,766 --> 00:04:15,233 and property within the United States. 83 00:04:15,700 --> 00:04:17,400 All in a day’s work.