Colorado-Built Weather Satellite Sends Back First Images
(CBS4) -- A Colorado-built weather satellite is sending back its first images from a state-of-the-art camera.
The GOES-17 satellite was built by Lockheed Martin.
Today, #GOES17 shares its first ABI instrument imagery, a stunning Full Disk view of our beautiful home planet, Earth. See more: https://t.co/rkpiJNRh9J pic.twitter.com/peGaMd3yyu
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) May 31, 2018
This is called a "full disk" view of earth.
The GOES-17 satellite can capture detailed weather patterns from its orbit above the U.S.
GOES-17 high resolution images bring the future of weather obs and forecasting to the Western US and Pacific, providing sharper/more detailed views of rapidly evolving systems; meaning more accurate, timely, reliable products and services. https://t.co/ti6wjJ3pOm @NOAAsatellites pic.twitter.com/VkE0Bsqklo
— NWS Director (@NWSDirector) May 31, 2018
That's despite some pretty big technical issues that experts are still trying to figure out.
The cooling system on that camera isn't working properly -- and scientists aren't sure how it broke.
Until its fixed, The camera only works about 12 hours a day -- when it's not in the sun.