The Nation - News from June 1, 1989

One of two satellites used to track dangerous storms during hurricane season has failed, leaving forecasters at the National Hurricane Center with just one eye in the sky at the start of the 1989 hurricane season today. As a result, forecasters cannot see as far or as clearly as they once did, said Miles Lawrence, one of six hurricane specialists at the center south of Miami. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to launch a new generation of satellites in July of 1990. Until those satellites are ready, the center will have to get by with just the one for the six-month-long season, said Robert Sheets, the center director.