NASA has selected United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket to power the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-T (GOES-T) into space.
The GOES-T is the third of the next generation of weather satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This series of satellites will provide advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s weather, oceans and environment, real-time mapping of total lightning activity and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather. GOES-T is the second to last satellite planned for the GOES constellation.
The Atlas V rocket, manufactured at ULA’s 1.6 million square foot facility in Decatur, has “more than 15 years of 100% mission success founded on a heritage of more than 600 Atlas program launches,” according to the company.
Tory Bruno, president and CEO of ULA, expressed his company’s excitement for the opportunity to continue its partnership with NASA and NOAA on this valuable mission.
“ULA is pleased once again to be selected to launch a GOES mission and we look forward to working with our mission partners from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for this important launch,” Bruno remarked. “ULA and its heritage vehicles have a long history with the GOES Program and have launched all 17 operational missions to date.”
Considered one of the most reliable and versatile rockets, the Atlas V is set to power the critical test flight for Boeing’s Starliner on Friday as the nation works toward launching American astronauts into space from American soil.
The Alabama rocket maker boasts a launch success record of 100% and has successfully delivered more than 130 satellites to orbit that provide Earth observation capabilities, enable global communications, strengthens the United States’ national security, unlock the mysteries of the solar system and support life-saving technology.
The GOES-T launch is scheduled for December 2021 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia
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