A critical environmental satellite is sick. Like a person who breaks out regularly in night sweats, a key instrument on the GOES-17 satellite is prone to overheating — at night.
Storms and hazards like volcanoes don't take a break at night, so GOES-17 was designed to keep a constant eye on the planet, 24/7. But the overheating problem has degraded its ability to monitor clouds, winds, atmospheric moisture, storm systems, and other factors essential for accurate weather forecasting and hazard monitoring.
