GOES-P satellite preparing for launch in March 2010

The GOES-P spacecraft completed its build late in 2006 (just after the launch of GOES-N) and since that time the spacecraft has been in storage at the Boeing Facility in El Segundo, California.

NASA has a commitment, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for the launch of the GOES-P spacecraft in April 2010. The combined NASA and contractor teams (Boeing, ITT and LM) are working hard to meet their commitment and are now preparing the GOES-P spacecraft for shipment to the launch base. The project has recently completed a major milestone in the completion of its instrument testing.

During this testing, the NASA team demonstrated the instruments continue to function as expected and will meet the stringent mission requirements. The instruments include the Imager and Sounder, built by ITT, and the Solar X-Ray Imager built by Lockheed Martin.

With these activities completed the spacecraft will continue the testing of the spacecraft subsystems and mechanical activities. NASA is looking forward to completing these activities and the ensuing launch campaign.

More information: For more information about GOES satellites, visit the GOES-O mission page: http://www.nasa.gov/goes-o

Source: JPL/NASA (news : web)