Transcript of GOES R “Living with Space Weather” 

0:00 [ music ]
0:04 We all know that NOAA satellites help
0:08 us forecast weather on Earth. But did you know that some weather satellites
0:12 also forecast weather in space?
0:16 [ music ]
0:20 [ music ] [whoosh]
0:24 So why is
0:28 forecasting space weather important? The changing environmental conditions
0:32 from the sun's atmosphere are known as space weather. Space weather is caused by
0:36 electromagnetic radiation and charged particles being released from solar storms.
0:40 Changes in the magnetic fields and a continuous flow of solar particles during a
0:44 powerful storm headed to Earth could cause disruption to communications and result
0:48 in exposure to dangerous radiation. Space weather
0:52 can disrupt high-frequency radio communications used by pilots.
0:56 During geomagnetic storms, airplanes flying over the poles are diverted or rerouted
1:00 so they don't lose critical positioning and communication with air traffic
1:04 control. Nowadays, farmers rely strongly on
1:08 high-precision GPS satellites to determine what to plant and where to plant it.
1:12 If GPS technology is affected by space weather, it could produce faulty coordinates,
1:16 resulting in losses for farmers.
1:20 During a solar storm, satellite TV, satellite radio, and other
1:24 satellite-based communications are at risk. Satellite operators have to avoid
1:28 certain operations, like uploading new software or executing complicated
1:32 maneuvers, because the data could be corrupted, or the entire satellite could even
1:36 be damaged. Electric power workers are also
1:40 affected by space weather, because large storms can induce currents in the electrical grid.
1:44 overloading transformers, and causing massive blackouts.
1:48 Space weather can also bring damaging radiation to
1:52 astronauts in space. Astronauts need to know when they should avoid space-walks,
1:56 and stay in better-shielded areas of the International Space Station.
2:00 Early warning for these users is absolutely critical, which is
2:04 why scientists and forecasters monitor GOES and other satellite data
2:08 around the clock. The next generation of GOES
2:13 weather satellites will provide the improved the data that space weather forecasters need
2:17 to detect initial solar flare eruptions and issue critical early warnings.
2:21 GOES-R data will also help forecasters measure radiation from the storm,
2:25 and determine the final impact.
2:29 Loaded with improved space weather instruments, the GOES-R series of satellites will provide
2:33 continuous delivery of crucial information to all users impacted by weather, not only
2:37 here on Earth, but also in space.
2:41 [ music ]
2:45 [ beep beep... beep beep... beep beep... ]
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