Turbulence Warning System

A newly launched weather satellite could help pilots detect turbulence which could mean safer flights.

18:59 23 November 2016

GOES-R (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite), which is billed as the world's most advanced weather satellite, has launched into space. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) said that the $1bn (£800m) satellite would beam clearer images of cloud waves back to Earth more quickly and is designed to provide better estimates of wind speed, fog, ice and lightning as well as pick up on hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, volcanic ash clouds, wildfires, lightning storms and solar flares more quickly.

 

Steve Landells, a flight safety specialist at the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa), said that the technology will be appreciated by pilots. He said that turbulence caused by lightning storms was more predictable, but other types were more difficult. "If they can start predicting that to a great degree, and more timely, then that would be a significant help," he said.

 

The satellite is expected to reach an orbit of 22,300 miles in about two weeks and become operational within a year.