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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the pre-dawn hours this morning, the Boeing Delta IV second stage leaves the Delta Operations Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.. It is being moved to the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) for further processing. The Delta IV is the launch vehicle for the GOES-N satellite. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) are sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). GOES-N is the first in the next series of GOES satellites, N-P. The multi-mission GOES series N-P will be a vital contributor to weather, solar and space operations and science. The GOES N-P series will aid activities ranging from severe storm warnings to resource management and advances in science. GOES-N is scheduled to launch May 4 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.