KSC-2009-1953

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers keep watch as the shipping container is lifted away from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES-O. The satellite will undergo final testing of the imaging system, instrumentation, communications and power systems. Developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, the GOES-O satellite is targeted to launch April 28 onboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV expendable launch vehicle. Once in orbit, GOES-O will be designated GOES-14, and NASA will provide on-orbit checkout and then transfer operational responsibility to NOAA. GOES-O will be placed in on-orbit storage as a replacement for an older GOES satellite. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett