Stunning Blastoff of Next-Gen GOES-S Geostationary Weather Observatory for NASA/NOAA on ULA Atlas V: Gallery

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES-S at 5:02 p.m. EST on March 1, 2018.  GOES-S is the second satellite in a series of next-generation weather satellites. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/kenkremer.com

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The nations newest and most powerful weather observatory blasted off at dinnertime Thursday, March 1 and put on a stunningly delicious launch display as it roared to space from the Sunshine State under near ideal weather conditions.

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-S (GOES-S) lifted off on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from seaside Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 5:02 p.m. EST on March 1, 2018.

Check out our expanding gallery of photos and videos from a variety of locations surrounding pad 41 on the Cape.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES-S at 5:02 p.m. EST on March 1, 2018.  GOES-S is the second satellite in a series of next-generation weather satellites. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/kenkremer.com

GOES-S will deliver a quantum leap in weather forecasting for the western United States just as GOES-R – the first satellite in the new series – is now doing for the eastern United Stated since it only recently became operational in December 2017.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the NOAA/NASA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES-S at 5:02 p.m. EST on March 1, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/kenkremer.com

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the NOAA/NASA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES-S at 5:02 p.m. EST on March 1, 2018. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/kenkremer.com

ULA Atlas V Launch of NOAA/NASA GOES-S weather satellite on March 1, 2018. Credit: Julian Leek

ULA Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the NOAA/NASA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES-S at 5:02 p.m. EST on March 1, 2018. - as seen from the VAB roof. GOES-S will be stationed over the western US. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/kenkremer.com

Watch this launch video compilation:

Video Caption: COMPILATION Views / GOES-S Launches atop ULA Atlas V Rocket on March 1, 2018 from CCAFS pad 41. Credit: Jeff Seibert

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