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Rogue Satellite Shuts Down US Weather Services

radioweather writes "On Sunday, the drifting rogue 'zombie' Galaxy 15 satellite with a stuck transmitter interfered with the satellite data distribution system used by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), effectively shutting down data sharing between NWS offices nationwide, as well as weather support groups for the US Air force. This left many forecasters without data, imagery, and maps. Interference from Galaxy 15 affected transmissions of the SES-1 Satellite, which not only serves NOAA with data relay services, but also is used to feed TV programming into virtually every cable network in the US. NOAA's Network Control Facility reports that the computer system affected was NOAA's Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) used to issue forecasts and weather bulletins which uses the weather data feed. They also state the problem is likely to recur again this month before the satellite drifts out of range and eventually dies due to battery depletion."

10 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. A red satellite?!? by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Goddamn Commies finally attacked! To your bunkers, citizens!

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:A red satellite?!? by SputnikPanic · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hey, stop talking about me!

  2. Rouge eh? by richy+freeway · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're putting makeup on satellites now?

    1. Re:Rouge eh? by theantipop · · Score: 5, Funny

      Everyone who plays WoW knows rouges are overpowdered.

  3. Rouge satellite by ZaphDingbat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bet their faces are red about this one.

    1. Re:Rouge satellite by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Looks like we caught CmdrTaco Red Handed not proof reading his postings.

  4. Luke SkyPrancer - Leader of Rouge Squadron by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    lol, worse every day.

  5. Nice by multipartmixed · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just wait until next week when a mascara satellite knocks out the GPS network!

    --

    Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
    1. Re:Nice by Massacrifice · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just wait until next week when a mascara satellite lashes out at the GPS network!

      FTFY

      --
      -- Home is where you eat your heart out.
  6. Re:Why not use the X-37B by onkelonkel · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The X-37B operates in low earth orbit about 200 miles up. The satellite is in Geosynchronous orbit at about 22,000 miles up. How do you get the X-37B to where the satellite is?

    --
    None of them can see the clouds; The polished wings don't care.