Today the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite – R Series (GOES-R) satellite launched successfully from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Once in geostationary orbit, GOES-R will be known as GOES-16. The GOES-R program represents the nation’s next generation of geostationary weather satellites. Its development has been managed by NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services (NESDIS) in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The data collected by this satellite will provide critical inputs to NOAA’s weather prediction capabilities and support weather forecasting activities around the globe.
Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement.
“I want to congratulate everyone involved in making this a successful launch: NOAA, NASA, and the entire contractor team. GOES-R will be an essential element of our weather forecasting fleet, and, as NOAA has stated, will ‘significantly improve the detection and observation of environmental phenomena that directly affect public safety, protection of property and our nation’s economic health and prosperity.’”
