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... ] 2:49 2:53 2:57