PALO ALTO, Calif., March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the first
images from two Earth and solar weather-monitoring space
instruments aboard the GOES-16 satellite, which launched in
November. Today's images from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper
(GLM) are a first for continuous lightning tracking in
geostationary orbit, 22,300 miles above the earth. Last week NOAA
also released the first images from the Solar Ultraviolet Imager
(SUVI), which gives faster warning for solar storms. Both GLM and
SUVI were designed and built at Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT)
Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto,
California.
GOES-16 is the first of a series of four next-generation
satellites built by Lockheed Martin, and each will host a GLM and
SUVI instrument. The GOES-R program—as the series is called—is a
collaborative mission between NOAA and NASA.
GLM
Fast facts:
- First operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary
orbit
- Monitors frequency, location and extent of lightning
discharges
- Takes hundreds of images each second
- Produced more lightning data in its first weeks than all
previous lightning data from space combined
"GLM is a first-of-a-kind capability for lightning monitoring at
geostationary orbit," said Jeff Vanden
Beukel, Lockheed Martin GOES-R instruments director. "Seeing
individual lightning strikes from 22,300 miles away is an
incredible feat, plus we're monitoring cloud-to-cloud lightning for
the first time. All this will give forecasters better data to give
people on the ground, at sea and in the air faster severe weather
warning."
SUVI
Fast facts:
- Observes the sun in six extreme ultraviolet channels, all in an
instrument the size of a gym bag
- Compiles full disk images—or complete views of the sun—around
the clock
- Data provides estimated coronal plasma temperatures and solar
emission measurements
"We built SUVI so it can deliver solar storm warning faster than
any other space instrument, plus an upgrade in resolution over
current GOES systems," said Jeff Vanden
Beukel, Lockheed Martin GOES-R instruments director. "Solar
storms can cause blackouts here on Earth and shut down satellites
in orbit. Faster warning lets us protect these assets before
disaster strikes."
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin