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- Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) are
our eyes from space. This satellite system provides continuous,
dependable, timely, and high-quality weather observations of North
and South America and adjacent areas in the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans.
- Physical Attributes
- In a circular orbit, 35,800 km above the equator, geostationary
satellites appear to “hover” over one location. These satellites
orbit Earth once every 24 hours.
The United States is monitored by two GOES satellites: GOES-East
positioned at 75 W and GOES-West at 135 W. Global coverage is
obtained by the coordinated efforts among Japanese, European and
Indian geostationary satellites.
- Satellite Imagery
- There are a variety of instruments aboard the GOES satellites.
The sounder collects data such as temperature
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- and humidity at various levels through the atmosphere. The imager
takes a “snap shot” of the atmosphere in both visible and infrared
wavelengths. Satellite operations are
- powered by a solar array.
- Applications
- The primary application of GOES data is weather observations for
the National Weather Service, a branch of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Other examples of applications
include the study of solar activity, forest fires, and volcanic
plumes. Data relay from various ground and space-based instruments
is also an important function of the GOES system.
The GOES mission is scheduled to run into the first decade of
the 21st century. More information on GOES can be found at http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goesb/chesters/web/goesproject.html
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