KSC-05pd-0496

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., the GOES-N satellite waits for rotation to a vertical position. Seen in the front is the solar panel. Since its arrival on March 11, the satellite has been undergoing final testing by Boeing Satellite Systems of the imaging system, instrumentation, communications and power systems. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) are sponsored by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. GOES-N is targeted to launch May 4 onboard a Boeing expendable launch vehicle Delta IV (4,2) with a 3-burn second stage operation.