In this video – a detailed view of lightning from space, which became available to us thanks to the new weather satellite of the United States, located 35 thousand kilometers from Earth.
The video, published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shows a line of storms that are rapidly increasing over the Great Plains of the United States.
The scene was shot on May 9 by a new weather satellite GOES-17, which was launched in March. Together with GOES-16, these two NOAA satellites, equipped with a geostationary lightning booster, a powerful tool that can do 500 photos per second, provide meteorologists with unprecedented data on the formation and intensity of storms. These lightning rods will play an important role in preserving human lives and property.
Unfortunately, GOES-17 itself can now be on the verge of life and death. The satellite is still being tested, but soon after the publication of the video NOAA announced that GOES-17 is experiencing serious mechanical problems – the key cooling system in the main satellite image driver does not work.
GOES-17 is the second of the four satellites of the fleet of new geostationary weather travelers. The launch of the next device is scheduled for 2020.
