March 2022 – Page 2 – NOAA’s GOES-T

Key Launch Day Milestones for Today’s GOES-T Mission

GOES-T spacecraft atop a ULA rocket — The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) spacecraft separation is targeted to take place at approximately 8:32 p.m. today. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Here is a look at some of the key milestones for today’s GOES-T launch:

Mission Timeline (all times approximate)
LAUNCH AND SPACECRAFT DEPLOYMENT
Time Events
4:38 p.m. EST Launch target (two-hour window)
4:50:04 p.m. Main Engine Cutoff #1 (MECO1)
5:01:20 p.m. Centaur Main Engine Start #2 (MES2)
5:06:57 p.m. Centaur Main Engine Cutoff #2 (MECO2)
8:06:04 p.m. Centaur Main Engine Start #3 (MES3)
8:07:47 p.m. Centaur Main Engine Cutoff #3 (MECO3)
8:32:32 p.m. GOES-T Spacecraft Separation

GOES-T’s launch from Cape Canaveral’s Space Force Station in Florida is now less than an hour away. Coverage of launch day activities will continue here on the blog. Also, tune in to NASA TV, the NASA app, or the agency’s website, starting at 4 p.m. EST for a live broadcast. Liftoff, from Space Launch Complex 41, is targeted for 4:38 p.m. EST.

A Closer Look at the GOES-T Mission

GOES-T rollout to Space Launch Complex 41 — NOAA’s GOES-T satellite will help meteorologists observe and predict local weather events, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, fog, hurricanes, flash floods, and other severe weather. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) satellite is the third satellite in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) – R Series, the Western Hemisphere’s most sophisticated weather observing and environmental monitoring system.

A part of the GOES-R series, GOES-T will be renamed GOES-18 once it reaches geostationary orbit, replacing GOES-17 as GOES West. It will be positioned to watch over the western contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Pacific Ocean. The satellite will be ideally located to monitor weather systems and hazards that most affect this region of the Western Hemisphere.

Mission objectives include:

Supporting the search-and-rescue satellite aided system (SARSAT)
Contributing to the development of worldwide environmental warning services and enhancements of basic environmental services
Improving the capability for forecasting and providing real-time warning of solar disturbances
Providing data that may be used to extend knowledge and understanding of the atmosphere and its processes

Coming up next on the blog is a list of milestones for today’s launch, targeted for 4:38 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 41.

Live Coverage Begins for NOAA’s GOES-T Launch

GOES-T and ULA rocket on the pad — The GOES-T spacecraft sits atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 in Florida ahead of today’s planned 4:38 p.m. EST launch. Photo credit: NASA

Good afternoon, and welcome to live coverage of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) satellite mission from Florida’s Space Coast!

Standing tall atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket, GOES-T – a joint effort between NASA and NOAA – is set to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 41 in just about 90 minutes (4:38 p.m. EST). The Launch is managed by NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Stay right here for a live blog that will take you straight through the launch day events. Or, tune in to NASA TV, the NASA app, or the agency’s website, starting at 4 p.m. EST, for a live broadcast.

It has been all good news on the weather front thus far, but we will keep you posted on any updates from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron prior to launch of the GOES-T mission to help meteorologists observe and predict local weather events, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, fog, hurricanes, flash floods and other severe weather.

Afternoon Weather Forecast Remains 80% Favorable

GOES-T rollout on a ULA Atlas V rocket — Weather conditions remain positive for today’s GOES-T launch, targeted for 4:38 p.m. EST. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron continue to predict an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions for this afternoon’s launch of NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) satellite, which is part of the GOES Satellite Network. The cumulus cloud rule and liftoff winds serve as the primary weather concerns.

GOES-T is scheduled to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket from Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 today at 4:38 p.m. EST. GOES-T will help meteorologists observe and predict local weather events, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, fog, hurricanes, flash floods, and other severe weather.

You may follow launch day activities on the NASA blog or by tuning in to NASA TV starting today at 4 p.m.

Weather 80% Favorable for Today’s GOES-T Launch

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, with the GOES-T satellite atop, stands ready for launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. — A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket carrying the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T), arrives at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Feb. 28, 2022. Liftoff is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, at 4:38 p.m. EST. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett

Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions for this afternoon’s launch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) satellite from Florida’s Space Coast, with the cumulus cloud rule and liftoff winds serving as the primary weather concerns.

A joint effort between NASA and NOAA, GOES-T is scheduled to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket from Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 today at 4:38 p.m. EST. GOES-T will help meteorologists observe and predict local weather events, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, fog, hurricanes, flash floods and other severe weather.

The launch is managed by NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Follow the launch day activities here on the blog or by tuning in to NASA TV starting today at 4 p.m. To learn more about the GOES Satellite Network or to meet members of the GOES-T team, click here.