The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program is a key element in United States National Weather Service (NWS) operations. GOES weather imagery and quantitative sounding data are a continuous and reliable stream of environmental information used to support weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, and meteorological research. Evolutionary improvements in the geostationary satellite system since 1974 (i.e., since the first Synchronous Meteorological Satellite, SMS-1) have been responsible for making the current GOES system the basic element for U.S. weather monitoring and forecasting. Spacecraft and ground-based systems work together to accomplish the GOES mission. The National Weather Service (NWS) is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States government. ... The Natural Environment comprises all living and non-living things that occur naturally on Earth. ... Weatherman redirects here. ... Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. ... A geostationary orbit (abbreviated GEO) is a circular orbit in the Earths equatorial plane, any point on which revolves about the Earth in the same direction and with the same period as the Earths rotation. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1974 calendar). ... An Ariane 5 expendable launch vehicle lifts off with the Rosetta spacecraft on March 2, 2004. ...

The United States has four in operation.

• GOES-3 is no longer used for weather operations, but is a critical part of the communication links between the United States, and the South Pole research station. A 9 meter dish was constructed at the station, and communication with the satellite is possible for approximately five hours per day. Data rates are around 2.048 Mbs bi-directional under optimum conditions.

• GOES-9 is on loan to Japan over the mid Pacific as part of a multinational agreement since the Japanese satellite GMS-5 reached the end of its life and the failed launch of the replacement satellite MTSAT-1.
• GOES-10 is GOES-West over the eastern Pacific Ocean.
• GOES-12 is designated GOES-East, over the Amazon River and provides most of the U.S. weather information.

GOES-12 visible light image. The Amazon River (occasionally River Amazon; Spanish: Río Amazonas, Portuguese: Rio Amazonas) of South America is one of the two longest rivers on Earth, the other being the Nile in Africa. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (782x696, 313 KB)GOES-12 visible light image. ...

GOES-12 water vapor image. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (782x696, 159 KB)Water vapor image from GOES satellite. ...

Designed to operate in geostationary orbit, 35,790 km (22,240 statute miles) above the earth, thereby remaining stationary (with respect to a point on the ground), the advanced GOES I–M spacecraft continuously view the continental United States, neighboring environs of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and Central and South America. The three-axis, body-stabilized spacecraft design enables the sensors to "stare" at the earth and thus more frequently image clouds, monitor earth's surface temperature and water vapor fields, and sound the atmosphere for its vertical thermal and vapor structures. Thus the evolution of atmospheric phenomena can be followed, ensuring real-time coverage of short-lived dynamic events, especially severe local storms and tropical cyclones—two meteorological events that directly affect public safety, protection of property, and ultimately, economic health and development. The importance of this capability has recently been exemplified during hurricanes Hugo (1989) and Andrew (1992). A geostationary orbit (GSO) is a circular orbit directly above the Earths equator (0º latitude). ... The continental United States refers (except sometimes in U.S. federal law and regulations) to the largest part of the U.S. that is delimited by a continuous border. ... Map of Central America Central America is an area of the American continent in the Western Hemisphere. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Earth is the third planet from the Sun. ... Cumulus of fair weather A cloud is a visible mass of condensed droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth or another planetary body. ... The historical temperature record shows the fluctuations of the temperature of the atmosphere and the oceans throughout history, and in particular since 1850. ... An optical phenomenon is any observable event which results from the interaction of light and matter. ... A rolling thundercloud over Enschede, Netherlands Heavy storm brought by Typhoon Sanvu in Hong Kong. ... Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004. ... Hurricane Hugo was a destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck Puerto Rico, St. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hurricane Andrew was one of the most destructive hurricanes ever to hit the United States. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

The GOES I–M series of spacecraft are the principal observational platforms for covering such dynamic weather events and the near-earth space environment for the 1990s and into the 21st century. These advanced spacecraft enhance the capability of the GOES system to continuously observe and measure meteorological phenomena in real time, providing the meteorological community and the atmospheric scientist greatly improved observational and measurement data of the Western Hemisphere. In addition to short-term weather forecasting and space environmental monitoring, these enhanced operational services also improve support for atmospheric science research, numerical weather prediction models, and environmental sensor design and development. The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive. ... A meteorological phenomenon is one of several commonplace or unusual weather events which illuminate and are explained by the principles of meteorology. ... Satellite image of Hurricane Hugo with a polar low visible at the top of the image. ... The geographical western hemisphere of Earth, highlighted in yellow. ...

The main mission is carried out by the primary payload instruments, the Imager and the Sounder. The Imager is a multichannel instrument that senses radiant energy and reflected solar energy from the earth's surface and atmosphere. The Sounder provides data for vertical atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles, surface and cloud top temperature, and ozone distribution. Radiant energy is the energy of electromagnetic waves. ... An open surface with X-, Y-, and Z-contours shown. ... Atmosphere is the general name for a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass. ... The historical temperature record shows the fluctuations of the temperature of the atmosphere and the oceans throughout history, and in particular since 1850. ... For other uses, see Ozone (disambiguation). ...

Other instruments on board the spacecraft are the ground-based meteorological platform data collection and relay, and the space environment monitor. The latter consists of a magnetometer, an X-ray sensor, a high energy proton and alpha detector, and an energetic particles sensor, all used for in-situ surveying of the near-earth space environment. A magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength of magnetic fields. ... In the NATO phonetic alphabet, X-ray represents the letter X. An X-ray picture (radiograph) taken by Röntgen An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength approximately in the range of 5 pm to 10 nanometers (corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 PHz... An alpha particle is deflected by a magnetic field Alpha particles (named after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α) are a highly ionizing form of particle radiation which have low penetration. ...

Invertible GOES logo designed for Space Systems/Loral by Scott Kim

In addition, the GOES satellites carry ELT and EPIRB receivers, which are used for search-and-rescue purposes by the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center Image File history File links GOES_logo_-_SSLoral. ... Image File history File links GOES_logo_-_SSLoral. ... An animation of a rotationally symmetric ambigram for the word ambigram A mirror-image ambigram for the word Wiki A rotational ambigram for the word Wikipedia A 3-Dimensional ambigram of the letters A, B and C. An ambigram, also sometimes known as an inversion, is a graphical figure that... Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), of Palo Alto, California, is the wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications. ... Invertible GOES logo designed for Space Systems/Loral by Scott Kim Scott Kim (born in 1955) is a United States art designer and author of Inversions (1981), containing many of his original ambigrams. ... Emergency position-indicating Radio beacons (EPIRB), Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) and Personal Locator Beacons, are tracking transmitters that operate as part of the Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System [1]. When activated, the beacons send out a distress signal that allows the beacon to be located by the satellite system and search... Emergency position-indicating rescue beacons (EPIRB) are small radio transmitters that some satellites and search and rescue aircraft can use locate people or boats needing rescue. ... Search and Rescue (acronym SAR) is an operation mounted by emergency services, often well-trained volunteers, to find someone believed to be in distress, lost, sick or injured either in a remote or difficult to access area, such as mountains, desert or forest (Wilderness search and rescue), or at sea... As the United States inland search and rescue (SAR) coordinator, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center serves as the single agency responsible for coordinating on-land federal SAR activities in the 48 contiguous United States, Mexico and Canada. ...

GOES spacecraft have been manufactured by Boeing (GOES D-H and N–P) and Space Systems/Loral (A–C, I–M). The procurement, design and manufacturing of GOES is overseen by NASA, while all operations of the satellites once in orbit are done by NOAA. Twelve contracts for advanced architecture studies for GOES-R were announced in October 2003. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA)(TYO: 7661 ) is the worlds largest aircraft manufacturer, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its largest production facilities in Everett, Washington, about 30 miles north of Seattle, Washington. ... Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), of Palo Alto, California, is the wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications. ... NASA logo Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from an article revision dated 2005-09-01, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Once a GOES satellite is launched successfully, it is redesignated with a number. GOES-A to GOES-F became GOES-1 to GOES-6, GOES-G was a failure, GOES-H to GOES-M became GOES-7 to GOES-12, the rest have not yet been launched.

GOES-N, which will become GOES-13 when it reaches operational orbit, is scheduled to be launched by a Delta IV rocket from Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on February 6, 2006. Repeated glitches in the rocket and weather issues have delayed the launch since late July 2005. GOES-O and GOES-P are scheduled to launch one at a time through 2008. GOES-Q has no spacecraft manufacturer or launch date. Delta IV evolution (US Govt) The Delta IV is a family of rockets built by Boeing IDS in a purpose-built facility in Decatur, Alabama. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 22nd 170 451 km² 260 km 800 km 17. ... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ongoing events • 2005 Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes • 2005 Maharashtra floods • 2005 Gujarat Flood • Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan • Fuel prices • Gomery Comm. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Note: original entry taken from "GOES I–M Databook" foreword

History/status of GOES satellites

• GOES-1, launched on October 16, 1975, decomissioned
• GOES-2, launched on June 16, 1977 decomissioned
• GOES-3, launched on June 16, 1978 Used as a communications relay for the South Pole research station.
• GOES-4, launched on September 9, 1980, Decommissioned
• GOES-5, launched on May 22, 1981, deactivated on July 18, 1990
• GOES-6, launched on April 28, 1983, Decommissioned
• GOES-7, launched April 28, 1987, Decommissioned
• GOES-8, launched on April 13, 1994, Decommissioned
• GOES-9, launched on May 23, 1995, operational with limitations, leased to Japan
• GOES-10, launched on April 25, 1997, in operation
• GOES-11, launched on May 3, 2000, orbiting - in storage
• GOES-12, launched on July 23, 2001, in operation

October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (143rd in leap years). ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 28 is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 247 days remaining. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 28 is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 247 days remaining. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 13 April is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (144th in leap years). ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (116th in leap years). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 161 days remaining. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

See also

• remote sensing
• MTSAT, Japanese weather satellite program

To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... MTSAT are a series of weather and aviation control satellites. ...

External link

• GOES on NOAA Website