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GOES-L LAUNCH DELAYED, NOAA AND NASA ANNOUNCE

May 7, 1999 — NOAA and NASA announced that the launch of GOES-L, an advanced U.S. weather satellite that will monitor hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and other severe weather, has been delayed.

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) was originally planned for launch on May 15. A new launch date has not yet been set.

The launch was delayed to allow NASA time to review recent launch failures. It also allows results of internal reviews by the rocket manufacturers.

GOES-L is planned for launch aboard an Atlas IIA rocket, built by Lockheed Martin. The rocket's second stage is a Centaur.

The United States operates two meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit 22,300 miles over the Equator, one over the East Coast and one over the West Coast. NOAA GOES-10, launched on April 25, 1997, is currently overlooking the West Coast out into the Pacific including Hawaii; it is located at 135 degrees West longitude. NOAA GOES-8, launched in April 1994, is overlooking the East Coast out into the Atlantic Ocean and is positioned at 75 degrees West.

NOAA GOES-L, to be renamed GOES-11 once on orbit, will be stored on orbit ready for operation when needed as a replacement for GOES-8 or -10. NOAA GOES-L will ensure continuity of GOES data from two GOES, especially for the Atlantic hurricane season.

NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) operates the GOES series of satellites. After the satellites complete on-orbit checkout, NOAA assumes responsibility for command and control, data receipt, and product generation and distribution. The GOES satellites are a critical component of the ongoing National Weather Service modernization program, aiding forecasters in providing more precise and timely forecasts.

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center manages the GOES contract. Goddard manages the design, development, and launch of the spacecraft for NOAA. NASA's Kennedy Space Center is responsible for government oversight of launch operations and countdown activities. NOAA GOES-L was built by Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space and Communications Ltd.

GOES information and imagery are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.goes.noaa.gov and http://www.nnic.noaa.gov/SOCC/SOCC_Home.html

 

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