New NOAA Satellite Expected To Greatly Enhanced Sun Monitoring, Forecasts

Space weather observations are about to get a substantial upgrade from a new solar observing satellite scheduled to launch on Wednesday, September 24th. In addition, the way we receive critical real time data and forecasts is about to become easier to access and interpret.

Satellite SWFO-L1

This new satellite, Space Weather Follow On at Lagrange (SWFO-L1), will greatly enhance the ability of space weather experts to monitor activity from the sun in real time using several different instruments and is NOAA's first satellite dedicated to continuous, operational space weather observations.

Why is monitoring the sun important? Solar phenomena such as Coronal Mass Ejections can disrupt, damage, or even destroy critical infrastructure here on Earth and in orbit, such as satellites, power grids, and communication equipment.

This satellite will help replace aging satellites which have been operating well beyond their intended design life with depleting resources (fuel), such as SOHO (1995), ACE (1997), and DSCOVR (2015).

NOAA Satellites released the following video to breakdown the instruments and observational capabilities of SWFO-L1.

A New Way To View Space Weather Forecasts

In conjunction with the launch of SWFO, NOAA is beginning a process to revamp how it delivers space weather forecasts. Making them easier to understand, more actionable, and tailored to users in specific sectors.

Lynker is NOAA's lead partner in this effort. Former Deputy Director at NCAR, Scott McIntosh, joined us from the Lynker side on Monday to discuss these changes.