KSC-05pd-0391

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility, the latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is lifted so it can be placed on a transporter. The satellite is being transported to Astrotech in Titusville, Fla., where final testing of the imaging system, instrumentation, communications and power systems will be performed over the next two months by Boeing Satellite Systems. Called GOES-N, the satellite is targeted to launch May 4 onboard a Boeing expendable launch vehicle Delta IV (4,2). Once in orbit GOES-N will be designated GOES-13 and will complete checkout and be placed in on-orbit storage as a replacement for an older GOES satellite.