United Launch Alliance launched its Atlas V rocket Thursday and delivered a state-of-the-art satellite to space.
- Rocket lifted off at opening of launch window at 5:02 p.m.
- GOES weather satellite to monitor Pacific weather
- Learn more about GOES-S weather satellite
- SEE BELOW: Watch live chat replay ▼
The Atlas V rocket blasted off at 5:02 p.m. and carried a weather satellite for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
WATCH: Did you see the Atlas V rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station? We have a replay! DETAILS on the important satellite it's carrying: https://t.co/7N4PlZSpGy pic.twitter.com/SctzLSTz9L
— News 13 (@MyNews13) March 1, 2018
The spacecraft, called the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system, or GOES-S, is the second in a series of weather satellites that will provide faster and more reliable information and data for tracking wildfires, hurricanes and storm systems threatening the western U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Central America and the Pacific Rim reaching to New Zealand.
WATCH: #AtlasV rocket lifts off! @ulalaunch is sending the #GOESS satellite into space. Our weather expert @BKarrickWX explains how it may lead to better forecasts: https://t.co/7N4PlZSpGy pic.twitter.com/HTfTtSL8Ab
— News 13 (@MyNews13) March 1, 2018
"It has four times the resolution, imagine a grainy picture like on TV, this is HD, versus the old TVs," said Ajay Mehta with NOAA Satellite Information Service. "Better resolution, and that's important, because we are now going to be able to look at storms on a local level."
And talk about a safety net.
The satellite has a receiver that can track a hiker or fisherman who gets lost in a remote area.
The person hits a special beacon and help is on the way.
"If you are a fisherman up in the Bering Sea, you can hit your indicator and it starts to mount the search for you at that point," said Jeff Shook with the Lockheed Martin GOES Program.
After the satellite gets to its planned orbit, it will be renamed the "GOES-West" and partner with the GOES-East, already in space, to oversee weather in the target area for the next three decades.
The more than 100-foot-tall Atlas V lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41.
The next Space Coast launch is scheduled for April 2nd, as Space X will be launching a cargo mission to the International Space Station for NASA.
ATLAS V ROLLOUT: A @ULALaunch rocket was rolled out to a pad at @45thSpaceWing ahead of Thursday afternoon's launch. You can watch the launch live on TV, the Spectrum TV app or streaming on our website: https://t.co/eJsLn6Hj5n
— News 13 (@MyNews13) February 28, 2018
(🎥: @Jon_Shaban pic.twitter.com/cnf7PJzvGD