1 00:00:11,111 --> 00:00:11,745 Absolutely. 2 00:00:11,745 --> 00:00:15,181 First off, I can say that I'm incredibly excited that we're going to be launching 3 00:00:15,181 --> 00:00:16,950 this particular satellite. 4 00:00:16,950 --> 00:00:20,954 This satellite is in a series of satellites, which are the most advanced 5 00:00:20,954 --> 00:00:24,524 satellites that we have in geostationary orbit at this time. 6 00:00:25,125 --> 00:00:29,362 These satellites provide weather information not only to meteorologists 7 00:00:29,362 --> 00:00:32,899 and the weather community, but also to every single person. 8 00:00:33,633 --> 00:00:37,971 If you use a weather app and you're using GOES data and we're 9 00:00:37,971 --> 00:00:41,641 launching, again, the most advanced version of that particular satellite 10 00:00:42,509 --> 00:00:43,343 today. 11 00:00:50,917 --> 00:00:52,419 A great question. 12 00:00:52,419 --> 00:00:54,521 When we say geostationary, what does that really mean? 13 00:00:54,988 --> 00:00:58,992 Well, typically, I try to explain to people, if you're like a superhero, maybe you can fly 14 00:00:58,992 --> 00:01:03,696 really high into the sky up into orbit and you have the ability to look down. 15 00:01:03,997 --> 00:01:07,567 Well, geostationary means you're looking down at the planet, 16 00:01:07,567 --> 00:01:10,270 but you're also rotating as fast as a planet rotates. 17 00:01:10,303 --> 00:01:15,241 So you're seeing the exact same spot from where you are high in the sky or in orbit. 18 00:01:15,642 --> 00:01:18,111 And what that provides you is a clear view 19 00:01:18,311 --> 00:01:20,847 of all the weather that's happening well below you. 20 00:01:21,147 --> 00:01:23,917 And we have that capability now, again, with the most advanced 21 00:01:24,584 --> 00:01:26,853 instruments that are able to view our planet. 22 00:01:27,654 --> 00:01:31,324 One of the reasons I'm so excited about it is it provides us with data 23 00:01:31,558 --> 00:01:35,962 that goes into weather forecast models and it also provides us with a great view 24 00:01:35,962 --> 00:01:40,834 of incredible weather situations, whether they're going to be good or bad. 25 00:01:40,834 --> 00:01:44,771 The example would be during hurricane season, when we see hurricanes 26 00:01:44,771 --> 00:01:48,308 coming in, coming from the actual ocean or developing 27 00:01:48,875 --> 00:01:51,311 out over the ocean when those storms 28 00:01:51,311 --> 00:01:54,747 develop, and more importantly, as they track to the west, 29 00:01:54,747 --> 00:01:58,184 we're able to watch them throughout the entire evolution of their lifecycle. 30 00:02:06,226 --> 00:02:07,660 So that pressure wave 31 00:02:07,660 --> 00:02:11,431 from the from the Tongan eruption was spectacular. 32 00:02:11,431 --> 00:02:13,399 It was more importantly, it was spectacular 33 00:02:13,399 --> 00:02:17,971 to view from space. Meteorologists were able to see quite a few characteristics 34 00:02:17,971 --> 00:02:21,241 propagate through the atmosphere with that particular eruption. 35 00:02:21,608 --> 00:02:25,945 And the great news with GOES is that we have so many advanced instruments on board 36 00:02:25,945 --> 00:02:30,950 that we're able to look at those particular characteristics as they propagate across the globe 37 00:02:31,084 --> 00:02:34,921 and how they could impact nations down the road or downstream. 38 00:02:35,522 --> 00:02:37,991 Now, in terms of wildfires, 39 00:02:37,991 --> 00:02:40,560 this is another wonderful capability that we have. 40 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:44,097 We have the ability to detect wildfires even in their infancy, 41 00:02:44,497 --> 00:02:47,200 the ability to actually see a wildfire develop. 42 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:51,337 And then more importantly, as we're able to see it and monitor it, we're able 43 00:02:51,337 --> 00:02:55,141 to reach out to first responders and let them know exactly where it is. 44 00:02:55,742 --> 00:03:00,380 And in most cases, wildfires develop out over areas that are fairly remote. 45 00:03:01,014 --> 00:03:05,518 So with the ability to be able to detect them from geostationary orbit, we're able to develop 46 00:03:05,518 --> 00:03:09,956 we're able to actually see a wildfire through its entire lifecycle from its development 47 00:03:10,190 --> 00:03:14,227 to hopefully when we're able to respond to it and hopefully quell the actual fire itself. 48 00:03:20,099 --> 00:03:22,268 So space weather, what does that actually mean? 49 00:03:22,268 --> 00:03:24,737 We're talking about whether that's actually in space 50 00:03:25,171 --> 00:03:27,473 between the sun and Earth. 51 00:03:28,174 --> 00:03:33,179 There is an area which we actually monitor because when we have events 52 00:03:33,179 --> 00:03:36,749 on the on the actual sun, they could impact us here on Earth. 53 00:03:37,383 --> 00:03:41,487 And the biggest impacts that we can notice with in our daily lives are GPS 54 00:03:41,788 --> 00:03:43,056 and the power grid. 55 00:03:43,056 --> 00:03:48,361 Both are incredibly susceptible or more importantly, vulnerable to solar eruptions. 56 00:03:48,995 --> 00:03:50,763 All kinds of solar phenomena. 57 00:03:50,763 --> 00:03:55,401 And those solar phenomena are being monitored by the geostationary satellite GOES-T. 58 00:03:56,069 --> 00:03:59,138 We have that capability to not only monitor it, but also forecast 59 00:03:59,138 --> 00:04:02,942 because we're able to look at those particular characteristics. 60 00:04:02,942 --> 00:04:04,544 But more importantly, those phenomena. 61 00:04:04,544 --> 00:04:07,814 And we can actually inform decision makers on when or what 62 00:04:07,814 --> 00:04:11,484 they should do according to the severity of that particular phenomena. 63 00:04:17,590 --> 00:04:18,891 So our viewers can always go 64 00:04:18,891 --> 00:04:24,364 to any we're using any web browser, NOAA satellites, it'll take you directly 65 00:04:24,364 --> 00:04:30,870 to our website for NESDIS, which is N-E-S-D-I-S dot NOAA dot gov. 66 00:04:31,237 --> 00:04:35,842 And from there, you can see a picture of the day, or you can see any of the latest imagery 67 00:04:35,842 --> 00:04:37,810 from our GOES satellites. 68 00:04:42,982 --> 00:04:44,651 So as a workhorse 69 00:04:44,651 --> 00:04:48,021 GOES can provide us with actually some more unique capabilities. 70 00:04:48,321 --> 00:04:51,391 We know about its ability to watch hurricanes develop 71 00:04:51,391 --> 00:04:55,161 and move across the ocean and possibly impact the land. 72 00:04:55,328 --> 00:04:59,232 But they also have the capability of looking at our atmosphere and noticing 73 00:04:59,232 --> 00:05:03,169 telltale signs for aviation hazards such as turbulence. 74 00:05:03,569 --> 00:05:06,205 For those of us that fly, not not not 75 00:05:06,205 --> 00:05:11,144 all of us can enjoy a flight where it's a little bit bumpy, but thankfully GOES 76 00:05:11,144 --> 00:05:14,614 can provide us with the information and forecasters the information 77 00:05:14,881 --> 00:05:17,984 so they can actually forecast those particular bumpy rides. 78 00:05:18,551 --> 00:05:22,188 Another capability is its ability to again detect fire. 79 00:05:22,989 --> 00:05:24,691 We call them hotspots. 80 00:05:24,691 --> 00:05:27,960 It has the ability to detect these hotspots where there's a volcanic eruption 81 00:05:28,328 --> 00:05:30,563 or whether it's an actual developing wildfire. 82 00:05:30,797 --> 00:05:33,199 And with those with that new capability, 83 00:05:33,733 --> 00:05:36,002 we're able to tell decision makers 84 00:05:36,269 --> 00:05:39,872 exactly what we're seeing and more importantly, they can react as quick as possible. 85 00:05:46,512 --> 00:05:47,513 So GOES can help 86 00:05:47,513 --> 00:05:51,551 a lot of a lot of communities, not only meteorologists. In particular, 87 00:05:51,951 --> 00:05:55,154 for those of us that like outdoor events, I've been known 88 00:05:55,154 --> 00:05:57,657 to go to a few outside concerts here and there. 89 00:05:58,191 --> 00:06:02,261 But the big concern for anyone going outside these days is going to be lightning. 90 00:06:02,695 --> 00:06:06,766 We now have a capability to see lightning with the GOES satellite. 91 00:06:07,166 --> 00:06:09,936 It provides us not only with the ability to see lightning, 92 00:06:09,936 --> 00:06:12,638 but also anticipate lightning and its development. 93 00:06:12,939 --> 00:06:18,745 And consequently, meteorologists can then alert officials that, hey, this particular storm 94 00:06:18,745 --> 00:06:21,581 that's going to be moving into the area is prone to develop lightning. 95 00:06:21,948 --> 00:06:22,749 So it's a good rea- 96 00:06:22,749 --> 00:06:26,953 That's a good reason why we always have a rain plan for any kind of outdoor activity 97 00:06:34,093 --> 00:06:34,293 All right. 98 00:06:34,293 --> 00:06:36,262 So a little known fact. 99 00:06:36,262 --> 00:06:40,400 Our satellite carries a suite of packages and one of its capabilities 100 00:06:40,466 --> 00:06:42,301 is part of search and rescue. 101 00:06:42,301 --> 00:06:44,971 So for those that may have gotten either lost at sea 102 00:06:44,971 --> 00:06:47,940 or a little too far from where you really wanted to be, 103 00:06:48,241 --> 00:06:52,278 thanks to GPS, we have the capability of actually locating that individual. 104 00:06:52,578 --> 00:06:55,515 And through our communications 105 00:06:55,515 --> 00:07:00,520 with our partners, we're able to notify local authorities and local officials on 106 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,623 if someone is actually lost 107 00:07:08,561 --> 00:07:09,061 And again, 108 00:07:09,061 --> 00:07:14,100 I'm extremely excited for this launch today because when it comes down to it, 109 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:16,903 as a meteorologist, this is the best tool that's going to be available. 110 00:07:17,336 --> 00:07:18,237 Go GOES-T.