In a momentous achievement for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring, NASA and SpaceX successfully launched NOAA’s latest weather satellite, the GOES-U (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite), on Tuesday at 5:26 p.m. EDT. The launch took place from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Following the successful deployment of the spacecraft’s solar arrays at 10:18 p.m., mission managers confirmed that the spacecraft was operating on its own power. This fourth and final satellite in a series of advanced weather satellites for NOAA will provide continuous coverage of weather and hazardous environmental conditions across a significant portion of the Western Hemisphere.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the crucial role that satellites like GOES-U play in monitoring real-time weather conditions, especially as communities worldwide face the impacts of extreme weather events. The advanced capabilities of the GOES constellation not only enable enhanced terrestrial weather prediction but also help forecasters predict space weather phenomena that can affect satellite electronics, GPS systems, and radio communications.

One of the notable advancements on the GOES-U satellite is the inclusion of a new space weather instrument, the Compact Coronograph-1, designed to allow scientists to observe the solar atmosphere with greater clarity by blocking the bright light from the Sun.

Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the wide range of applications for GOES data, underlining its importance in tracking climate changes, providing early warnings for severe weather, and contributing to disaster preparedness efforts globally.

Upon reaching its designated geostationary orbit approximately 22,200 miles above Earth, GOES-U will be renamed GOES-19. After a series of orbital checks and tests, it will begin its operational service, monitoring weather patterns over North America, including the contiguous United States, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west coast of Africa.

The successful launch of GOES-U marks a critical step in enhancing weather forecasting capabilities and improving safety for communities in the Western Hemisphere. Government agencies like NASA and NOAA, along with industry partners like Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies, continue to collaborate in advancing Earth observation technology to better inform and protect the public.

As the new GOES-19 satellite begins its operational duties, forecasters and researchers anticipate leveraging its data to further enhance our understanding of weather patterns, space weather effects, and climate variability, ultimately supporting efforts to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and safeguard human lives and infrastructure on Earth.

For more information about GOES, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/content/goes

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science

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evels of widespread extreme fire risk which used to occur once every 100 years will now occur every 5

MONTREAL /PRNewswire/ — Deep Sky, the Canadian carbon removal project developer, has published original research on wildfire risk in the United States. A new report shares findings from Deep Sky Research and its Wildfire Risk Model on how wildfire risk is changing due to climate change. The model unveiled four key findings:

1. Maximum Fire Risk Has Grown Approximately 15X Across North America
   1. The model shows that Extreme Fire Weather conditions previously seen once every 100 years will now happen on average every 7 years. 
2. Frequency of Extreme Fire Risk has Grown 20X
   1. The frequency of Extreme Fire Weather – exceeding the 95th percentile in that area – has grown even more sharply than severity. Levels of widespread extreme fire risk which used to occur once every 100 years will now occur every 5.  
3. Some Regions Face Even Faster Growing Risks
   1. Central Colorado and Northern New Mexico are seeing much more extreme fire weather today than in previous years, and Central California is facing staggering increases in extreme fire weather, for example.
4. The Increase is Accelerating
   1. One startling finding from the Wildfire Risk Model is that the increases in Extreme Fire Weather are not linear. These risks are not only growing but have begun accelerating.

One way to understand the increase in wildfire destruction is to look at the underlying conditions that lead to wildfires. Fire Weather Index (FWI) is a measure developed by the Canadian Forestry Service but used globally to assess fire risk. It combines temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation to give a holistic view of landscape flammability.

Climate change, which directly impacts each of these inputs, is causing more frequent and more destructive wildfires. Deep Sky Research analyzed trends in fire weather across North America and found sharp increases in the probability of extreme conditions.

“Deep Sky Research uses a novel approach for predicting the impact of climate change,” said Max Dugan-Knight, Deep Sky Climate Data Scientist. “A risk assessment approach, just like the insurance industry uses, can help us predict disasters ahead of time. In the case of wildfires, an increase in frequency and severity is being driven by changes in extreme fire weather.”

Deep Sky Research developed a map to show how fire weather is changing in each county of the continental US. It shows how Extreme Fire Weather is becoming more frequent and more severe. The darker red the county, the greater the increase in fire weather. The few blue counties are actually seeing decreases in risk.

This is what climate scientists refer to as a “vicious cycle.” Climate change is causing worse fire weather conditions, which cause larger, more destructive wildfires, which cause huge carbon emissions, which themselves contribute to more climate change. If the death and destruction caused by wildfires is not reason enough to act on climate change, avoiding vicious cycles and tipping points surely is.

To read the full report, visit Where Will the Next Extreme Wildfire Be? on deepskyclimate.com/research.

About Deep Sky:
Montreal-based Deep Sky is the world’s first IP agnostic carbon removal project developer aiming to remove gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere and permanently store it underground. As a project developer, Deep Sky brings together the most promising direct air and ocean carbon capture companies under one roof to bring the largest supply of high quality carbon credits to the market and commercialize carbon removal and storage solutions like never before. With $75M in funding, Deep Sky is backed by world class investors including Investissement Québec, Brightspark Ventures, Whitecap Venture Partners, OMERS Ventures, BDC Climate Fund, and more. For more information, visit deepskyclimate.com.

SOURCE Deep Sky

Boom Supersonic, the pioneering company in supersonic aviation, recently marked a significant milestone with the completion of the Overture Superfactory. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Overture Superfactory is the first supersonic airliner factory in the United States. With the capacity to produce 33 Overture aircraft per year, this state-of-the-art facility will not only strengthen American leadership in aerospace manufacturing but also revolutionize global air travel. Let’s take a closer look at the impact of this remarkable achievement.

A Paradigm Shift in Air Travel:

The Overture aircraft, developed by Boom Supersonic, is set to transform the aviation industry. Capable of flying twice as fast as current commercial planes, the Overture airliner will usher in a new era of speed, efficiency, and sustainability. Boom’s commitment to using up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ensures a greener future for air travel. This technological breakthrough attracts key industry players, such as United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines, who have already placed orders for these innovative supersonic aircraft.

Boosting the Economy and Job Creation:

North Carolina, renowned for its aviation legacy, is thrilled to host Boom Supersonic’s groundbreaking manufacturing program. The full implementation of the Boom program is projected to contribute a staggering $32.3 billion to the state’s economy in the next 20 years. Moreover, the Overture Superfactory alone will generate over 2,400 jobs, establishing the region as an economic powerhouse and bolstering North Carolina’s position as the top state for business.

Sustainable and Cutting-Edge Facility:

The Overture Superfactory sets a new standard for environmentally conscious manufacturing facilities. Built by BE&K Building Group and designed by BRPH, this facility aims to achieve LEED certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainability. Anticipated to be at least 40% more energy-efficient than comparable manufacturing facilities, the Overture Superfactory demonstrates how economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.

Operationalizing Production and Continuous Progress:

With construction complete, Boom Supersonic’s focus now shifts to operationalizing the production floor at the Overture Superfactory. Working in collaboration with tooling supplier Advanced Integration Technology (AIT), Boom will commence the installation of cutting-edge tooling, starting with a test cell unit. This advanced test cell will play a crucial role in refining manufacturing processes, optimizing assembly line flow, and preparing staff for Overture production.

Collaborative Partnerships and Major Milestones:

Boom Supersonic’s journey towards reshaping aviation is marked by crucial milestones. Most recently, the successful inaugural flight of XB-1, the supersonic demonstrator aircraft for Overture, exemplified the company’s commitment to safe and efficient supersonic air travel. As the flight test program progresses, the XB-1 will validate the aircraft’s performance and handling under supersonic speeds. Collaborations with industry leaders like Northrop Grumman, Aernnova, Collins Aerospace, and others reinforce the comprehensive approach that Boom is undertaking.

Boom Supersonic’s completion of the Overture Superfactory is a momentous achievement that sets the stage for a new chapter in aviation. With its innovative design, sustainable practices, and partnerships with renowned industry players, Boom Supersonic is revolutionizing air travel as we know it. The Overture aircraft produced at the Superfactory will not only deliver vital innovation to aviation but also provide millions of passengers around the world with the opportunity to experience supersonic flight. Get ready to soar to new heights with Boom Supersonic. The future of air travel is here.

About Boom Supersonic

Boom Supersonic’s mission is to make the world dramatically more accessible through flights that are faster, more affordable, more convenient, and more sustainable. 

Boom is developing Overture, the world’s fastest airliner – optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will fly at twice the speed of today’s airliners and is optimized to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Overture’s order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture. Suppliers and partners collaborating with Boom on the Overture program include Aernnova, Aciturri, Collins Aerospace, Eaton, Honeywell, Latecoere, Leonardo, Safran Landing Systems, and the United States Air Force.

Symphony™ is the propulsion system that will power Overture, a Boom-developed engine with world-class suppliers including Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a business unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Colibrium Additive – a GE Aerospace Company, and StandardAero. 

XB-1 is Boom’s technology demonstrator aircraft and the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet. The aircraft first took flight in Mojave, CA in March 2024. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com.  

Connect with Boom Supersonic on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Source: Boom Aerospace