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several fires burn in the southeast
Not Just Blowing Smoke: Satellites Play Vital Role in Spotting, Monitoring Fires
Fires, whether naturally occurring or man-made, have substantial impacts on both the landscape and air quality. Fortunately, satellites can detect and monitor fires large and small, and provide data on a range of factors, including location, duration, size, temperature and intensity.
ER-2 video of desert
A High-Altitude Plane takes to the Sky for NOAA's GOES-16 Field Campaign
Flying out of Palmdale, California, a NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude plane and its suite of highly specialized instruments recently took to the air over the Sonoran Desert in Mexico and the Mojave Desert in Ivanpah, California, on March 23 and 28 to validate GOES-16’s Advanced Baseline Imager — the satellite’s primary instrument.
GOES-R Ground System architecture
NOAA’s GOES-16 Ground System: Less Discussed, but Equally Important
When the topic du jour turns to satellite meteorology and its benefits, the spacecraft usually get all the attention. This stands to reason, but there is no denying that satellites are only half of the highly specialized technical apparatus that collects remotely sensed data and makes it available to scientists. p { width:900px; }
An artist's rendition of JPSS-1
CubeSats to Fly with NOAA's JPSS-1
Tiny satellites known as CubeSats, which can be attached to a larger satellite mission and used for educational, research and development purposes, will accompany the JPSS-1 spacecraft inside the rocket fairing on board the Delta II rocket that will take JPSS-1 into space.  p { width:900px; }
ER-2 in flight
Scientists Begin Field Campaign for NOAA’s GOES-16
GOES-16 is ready to embark on another major milestone— The GOES-16 Field Campaign! During this three-month event, an assemblage of high-altitude planes, ground-based sensors, drones, and satellites will be used to fine-tune GOES-16’s suite of brand new instruments. p { width:900px; }
map of coral bleaching
Ocean Temperatures Triggered Massive Coral Bleaching Event 2014-2017
Satellite remote sensing played key role in predicting and tracking event 
Image of the drawing commissioned by Wexler
Drawing Found at NOAA Forecasted the Potential of Meteorological Satellites
Dr. Harry Wexler, director of meteorological research for the U.S. Weather Bureau, was a strong proponent of the idea that satellites would be of “great value,” for both warning people about approaching severe weather and gathering information about the atmosphere. Yet, despite his advocacy,  Wexler knew he needed to do more than tell his colleagues about the scientific advantages of satellites, he had to show them. In 1954, he did just that.
artist's rendition of space weather
GOES-16: Our Newest and Best Defense against the Threats of Space Weather
Working in concert, the four space-weather instruments aboard GOES-16’s will enable NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center to significantly improve space weather forecasts, provide early warning of possible impacts to Earth’s space environment, and potentially disruptive events on the ground.
GOES-16 full disk image showing lightning flashes
Flashy First Images Arrive from NOAA’s GOES-16 Lightning Mapper
First of its kind instrument in geostationary orbit will help forecasters pinpoint severe storms sooner