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[ music ]

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We all know that NOAA satellites help

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us forecast weather on Earth. But did you know that some weather satellites

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also forecast weather in space? 

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[ music ]

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[  music  ] [whoosh]

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So why is

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forecasting space weather important? The changing environmental conditions

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from the Sun's atmosphere are known as space weather. Space weather is caused by

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electromagnetic radiation and charged particles being released from solar storms.

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Changes in the magnetic fields and a continuous flow of solar particles during a

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powerful storm headed to Earth could cause disruption to communications and result

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in exposure to dangerous radiation. Space weather

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can disrupt high-frequency radio communications used by pilots. 

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During geomagnetic storms, airplanes flying over the poles are diverted or rerouted 

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so they don't lose critical positioning and communication with air traffic

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control. Nowadays, farmers rely strongly on

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high-precision GPS satellites to determine what to plant and where to plant it.

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If GPS technology is affected by space weather, it could produce faulty coordinates,

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resulting in losses for farmers.

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During a solar storm, satellite TV, satellite radio, and other

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satellite-based communications are at risk. Satellite operators have to avoid

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certain operations, like uploading new software or executing complicated

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maneuvers, because the data could be corrupted, or the entire satellite could even

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be damaged. Electric power workers are also 

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affected by space weather, because large storms can induce currents in the electrical grid.

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overloading transformers, and causing massive blackouts.

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Space weather can also bring damaging radiation to 

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astronauts in space. Astronauts need to know when they should avoid space-walks,

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and stay in better-shielded areas of the International Space Station.

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Early warning for these users is absolutely critical, which is

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why scientists and forecasters monitor GOES and other satellite data

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around the clock. The next generation of GOES

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weather satellites will provide the improved the data that space weather forecasters need

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to detect initial solar flare eruptions and issue critical early warnings.

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GOES-R data will also help forecasters measure radiation from the storm,

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and determine the final impact.

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Loaded with improved space weather instruments, the GOES-R series of satellites will provide 

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continuous delivery of crucial information to all users impacted by weather, not only

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here on Earth, but also in space.

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[ music ]

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[ beep beep... beep beep... beep beep... ]

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