NASA Sets GOES-R/Atlas V Launch Events Coverage

The first spacecraft in a new series of NASA-built advanced geostationary weather satellites is set to launch into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket Wednesday, Nov. 16. The two-hour launch window opens at 4:42 p.m. EST. Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

News briefings, live launch commentary, photo opportunities and other media events will be held at nearby NASA Kennedy Space Center, and carried live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.

Once in geostationary orbit, GOES-R will be known as GOES-16 and will provide images of weather patterns and severe storms as regularly as every five minutes or as frequently as every 30 seconds. These images can be used to aid in weather forecasts, severe weather outlooks, watches and warnings, lightning conditions, maritime forecasts and aviation forecasts. It also will assist in longer term forecasting, such as in seasonal predictions and drought outlooks. In addition, space weather conditions will be monitored constantly, including the effects of solar flares to provide advance notice of potential communication and navigation disruptions. It also will assist researchers in understanding the interactions between land, oceans, the atmosphere and climate.

NASA TV Events Schedule

For all media briefings, reporters may ask questions by calling the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468 no later than 15 minutes before briefings begin. Media also can ask questions via Twitter by using the hashtag #askNASA. All times are Eastern.

Monday, Nov. 14

1 p.m. – Prelaunch news conference at Kennedy’s Press Site

Briefing participants are:

• Stephen Volz, assistant administrator for satellite and information services, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Sandra Smalley, director, Joint Agency Satellite Division, NASA Headquarters
• Omar Baez, launch director, NASA Kennedy
• Scott Messer, program manager, NASA Missions, United Launch Alliance
• Greg Mandt, GOES-R system program director, NOAA
• Clay Flinn, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

2 p.m. – GOES-R Mission Briefing

Briefing participants include:

• Steven Goodman, GOES-R program scientist, NOAA
• Laura Furgione, deputy director, National Weather Service
• Sandra Cauffman, deputy director, Earth Science Division, NASA Headquarters

Tuesday, Nov. 15

1 p.m. – GOES-R NASA Social presentations

Wednesday, Nov. 16

3 p.m. – Prelaunch program by NASA EDGE

4 p.m. — Launch coverage and commentary begins

Live coverage will also be available via social media at:

 http://www.twitter.com/NASAKennedy

https://www.facebook.com/NASAKennedy

Live countdown coverage through NASA’s Launch Blog begins at 2:15 p.m. p.m. Nov. 16. Coverage features live updates as countdown milestones occur, as well as video clips highlighting launch preparations and liftoff. For NASA’s Launch Blog, visit:

http://blogs.nasa.gov/goes-r