GOES is an acronym for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. GOES-O was removed from the Astrotech facility and shipped in the silent of the night, as to minimize the impact to public roadways.

Image credit: Spacecraft/fairing being removed from the Titusville facility aboard the specially-designed transport tractor trailer. Credit: NASA

The first image shows the spacecraft/fairing being removed from the Titusville facility, aboard the specially-designed transport tractor trailer. The transport to Launch Pad 37B was a very slow and methodical process and took most of the night to complete. Special care was taken to ensure the health and safety of the $499M technically advanced weather satellite.

GOES-O will join a system of other GOES weather satellites that provide timely environmental information to meteorologists and the public. The GOES system graphically displays the intensity, path and size of storms. Early warning of impending severe weather enhances the public’s ability to take shelter and protect property.

Once the spacecraft arrived at the launch pad, it was slowly hoisted on top of the 165 foot launch vehicle. The second image shows the spacecraft in preparation for hoist on to the launch vehicle.

With the GOES-O spacecraft and the Delta IV launch vehicle fully integrated, the NASA and industry teams will perform final processing and testing in preparation for a June 26, 2009, evening launch. With the launch vehicle technical issues coming to a close, the June 26th launch date looks promising. The GOES teams are well prepared for the launch and are looking forward to the spacecraft in orbit activation, checkout, and successful handover to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Image credit: The GOES-O spacecraft in preparation for hoist on to the launch vehicle. Credit: NASA

NOAA manages the operational environmental satellite program and establishes requirements, provides all funding and distributes environmental satellite data for the United States. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., procures and manages the development and launch of the satellites for NOAA on a cost reimbursable basis.

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