The GOES-U satellite will catch a ride to space on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) GOES-R series constellation is expected to be complete in space soon, pending a successful launch of its GOES-U satellite at the end of June. The mission will be historic for many reasons, including the fact it will mark the first time a NOAA satellite will be transported to space using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
For the mission’s previous three satellite launches, NOAA chose United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V 541 rocket to transport the modules to their places in orbit. The Atlas program has had a success rate of 100% for its more than 600 launches, which has included, most recently, taking astronauts to the International Space Station on Boeing’s Starliner capsule.So, why the change on the final mission launch for the GOES-R series? As it turns out, SpaceX beat ULA in the contract competition.

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