Atlas V rocket launches GOES-R weather satellite from Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The nation's most advanced weather satellite ever successfully lifted of from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Saturday evening.

NASA launched the $1 billion GOES-R satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

An unmanned Atlas rocket was scheduled to blast off at 5:42 p.m., but a technical anomaly postponed the launch to the end of the window -- 6:42 p.m.

Raw: Atlas V rocket launches GOES-R weather satellite

The satellite aims for a 22,300-mile-high orbit, where it will churn out the sharpest and fastest pictures yet of hurricanes, tornadoes and other U.S. weather.

NOAA expects it to revolutionize forecasting. It's part of a new $11 billion system that ultimately will include four satellites.

Two dozen meteorologists from across the country were on hand for the big event, including WFTV digital meteorologist Irene Sans. The weather, appropriately enough, couldn't have been better for launching.

GOES-R eventually will become known as GOES-16. It will join three other weather satellites already in orbit.

The launch was previously scheduled for mid-October, but it was delayed by Hurricane Matthew.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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