View source for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

{{Short description|US weather satellite series}}
{{Redirect|GOES}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox spacecraft class
| image = GOES 8 Spac0255.jpg
| caption = '''GOES-8''', a decommissioned weather satellite.
| name = Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
| manufacturer = {{hlist|[[Ford Aerospace]]|[[Boeing Satellite Development Center|Hughes]]|[[Space Systems/Loral]]|[[Boeing]]|[[Lockheed Martin]]}}
| country = [[United States]]
| bus = {{hlist|SMS|HS-371|[[LS-1300]]|[[Lockheed Martin A2100|A2100A]]}}
| applications = 
| orbits = [[Geostationary]]
| operator = {{hlist|[[NASA]]|[[NOAA]]}}
| lifetime = 
| derivedfrom = Synchronous Meteorological Satellite
| derivatives = [[Geostationary Extended Observations]]
| Preceded = <!--spacecraft class preceding-->
| Succeeded = <!--spacecraft class succeeding-->

<!--Production-->| status = In service
| built = 
| orders = 
| launched = 20
| operational = 4
| retired = 15
| failed = 1
| lost = 
| first = [[GOES-1]]
| last = [[GOES-19]]
}}
[[Image:Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) lifts off with GOES-N.jpg|thumb|The launch of GOES-N, which was renamed GOES-13 after attaining orbit]]

The '''Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite''' ('''GOES'''), operated by the United States' [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA)'s [[National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service]] division, supports [[weather forecasting]], severe storm tracking, and [[meteorology]] research. Spacecraft and ground-based elements of the system work together to provide a continuous stream of environmental data. The [[National Weather Service]] (NWS) and the [[Meteorological Service of Canada]] use the GOES system for their North American weather monitoring and forecasting operations, and scientific researchers use the data to better understand land, atmosphere, ocean, and climate dynamics.

The GOES system uses [[geosynchronous equatorial satellite]]s that, since the launch of [[SMS-1]] in 1974, have been a basic element of U.S. weather monitoring and forecasting.

The procurement, design, and manufacture of GOES satellites is overseen by [[NASA]].

NOAA is the official provider of both GOES terrestrial data and GOES space weather data. Data can also be accessed using the [[SPEDAS]] software.

==History==
The first GOES satellite, GOES-1, was launched in October 1975. Two more followed, launching almost two minutes short of a year apart, on 16 June 1977 and 1978 respectively. Prior to the GOES satellites two [[Synchronous Meteorological Satellite]]s (SMS) satellites had been launched; [[SMS-1]] in May 1974, and [[SMS-2]] in February 1975. The SMS-derived satellites were spin-stabilized spacecraft, which provided imagery through a [[Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer]], or VISSR.  The first three GOES satellites used a [[Philco-Ford]] bus developed for the earlier [[Synchronous Meteorological Satellite]]s (SMS) generation.<ref name="GSP-0g">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/goes-a_sms.htm|title=SMS 1, 2 / GOES 1, 2, 3|last=Krebs|first=Gunter|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=2009-06-23}}</ref>

Following the three SMS GOES spacecraft, five satellites were procured from [[Hughes Aircraft|Hughes]], which became the first generation GOES satellites. Four of these reached orbit, with [[GOES-G]] being lost in a launch failure.<ref name="GSP-1g">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/goes-d.htm|title=GOES 4, 5, 6, G, 7|last=Krebs|first=Gunter|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=2009-06-23}}</ref>

[[Image:GOES 2nd generation Spac0175.jpg|thumb|left|First generation GOES satellite]]
The next five GOES satellites were constructed by [[Space Systems/Loral]], under contract to NASA.<ref name="GSP-2g">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/goes-i.htm|title=GOES 8, 9, 10, 11, 12|last=Krebs|first=Gunter|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=2009-06-23}}</ref> The imager and sounder instruments were produced by [[ITT Corporation|ITT]] Aerospace/Communication Division. GOES-8 and -9 were designed to operate for three years, while -10, -11 and -12 have expected lifespans of five years. GOES-11 and -12 were launched carrying enough fuel for ten years of operation, in the event that they survived beyond their expected lifespan.

A contract to develop four third-generation GOES satellites was awarded to [[Hughes Aircraft Company|Hughes Corporation]], with the satellites scheduled for launch on [[Delta III]] rockets between 2002 and 2010.<ref name="NPQ">{{cite web|url=http://goes.gsfc.nasa.gov/text/goesnopq.status.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041030133251/http://goes.gsfc.nasa.gov/text/goesnopq.status.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2004-10-30|title=GOES-NO/PQ Status |date=2006-06-13|publisher=NASA|access-date=2009-06-23}}</ref> After a merger with Hughes, [[Boeing]] took over the development contracts, with launches transferred to the [[Delta IV]], following the Delta III's retirement. The contract for the fourth satellite, GOES-Q, was later cancelled.<ref name="GSP-3g">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/goes-n.htm|title=GOES N, O, P, Q|last=Krebs|first=Gunter|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=2009-06-23}}</ref> The first third-generation satellite, GOES-13, was launched in May 2006, originally serving as an on-orbit backup.<ref name="News">{{cite web|url=http://goes.gsfc.nasa.gov/text/goesnew.html|title=GOES-NEWS|date=2009-05-09|publisher=NASA|access-date=2009-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710163421/http://goes.gsfc.nasa.gov/text/goesnew.html|archive-date=2009-07-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, in April 2010, GOES-12 was moved to South America coverage and GOES-13 was moved to the GOES-East role.<ref name="goes13east">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/goes-n/media/goes-east.html|title=GOES-13 is America's New GOES-East Satellite|date=2009-04-16|publisher=NASA|access-date=2011-09-12|archive-date=2011-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917023948/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/goes-n/media/goes-east.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Third generation satellites have an expected lifespan of seven years, but will carry excess fuel to allow them to operate for longer if possible, as with the last two-second generation satellites.

{| class="wikitable" align="right"
|+ Operational Positions<ref name="OSPO-ops">{{cite web |title=GOES Operational Status |url=https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/operations/goes/status.html |publisher=Office of Satellite and Product Operations |access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref>
! Status !! Longitude !! Satellite
|-
| GOES-East  || 75° W || [[GOES-19]]
|-
| GOES-West  || 137° W || [[GOES-18]]
|-
| On-Orbit Storage || 104.7° W || [[GOES-16]]
|-
| On-Orbit Storage || 89.5° W || [[GOES-17]]
|}

The fourth-generation satellites, the GOES-R series,<ref name="R-Over">{{cite web|url=http://www.goes-r.gov/mission/mission.html|title=GOES-R Mission Overview|publisher=GOES-R Program Office|access-date=2014-08-29}}</ref> were built by [[Lockheed Martin]] using the [[Lockheed Martin A2100|A2100 satellite bus]]. The GOES-R series is a four-satellite program (GOES-R, -S, -T and -U) intended to extend the availability of the operational GOES satellite system through 2036.<ref name="GOES Flyout Schedule">{{cite web|url=http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/flyout_schedules.html|title=GOES Flyout Schedule|publisher=NOAA Satellite and Information Service|access-date=2014-08-29}}</ref> GOES-R launched on 19 November 2016.<ref name="R-Over"/> It was renamed [[GOES-16]] upon reaching orbit. GOES-S, the second in the series, was launched on 1 March 2018. It was renamed [[GOES-17]] upon reaching orbit. GOES-T (now [[GOES-18]]) was launched on 1 March 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=Atlas 5 launches GOES-T weather satellite |url=https://spacenews.com/atlas-5-launches-goes-t-weather-satellite/ |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=SpaceNews |date=2 March 2022}}</ref> The final satellite in the series, GOES-U (now [[GOES-19]]) was launched on 25 June 2024.<ref name="goesulaunch">{{cite press release |url= https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news-events/noaas-goes-u |title= NOAA's GOES-U Has Lift-Off! |work=[[NOAA]] |date=25 June 2024 |access-date=26 June 2024}}</ref>

==Satellites==
===Operationally available===
Four GOES satellites are available for operational use, with two active in the East and West slots and two in on-orbit storage for contingency purposes.

[[GOES-19]] (formerly GOES-U) occupies the GOES-East position at 75° W. Launched June 25, 2024 on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center,<ref name="goesulaunch2">{{cite press release |url= https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/noaas-goes-u-satellite-launches/ |title= NOAA's GOES-U Satellite Launches |work=[[NOAA]] |date=25 June 2024 |access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> it became operational on April 7, 2025, replacing GOES-16.<ref name="OSPO-ops"/>

[[GOES-18]] (formerly GOES-T) occupies the GOES-West position at 137° W. Launched March 1, 2022 aboard an [[Atlas V|Atlas V rocket]] from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|Space Launch Complex 41]] at [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]] in Florida,<ref name="goestlaunch">{{cite press release |url= https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/noaas-goes-t-reaches-geostationary-orbit-now-designated-goes-18 |title= NOAA's GOES-T Reaches Geostationary Orbit |work=[[NOAA]] |date=14 March 2022 |access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> it became operational on January 4, 2023, replacing GOES-17.<ref name="OSPO-ops"/>

[[GOES-16]] now serves as the first on-orbit backup, relocated to 104.7° W after being relieved of the GOES-East role. This satellite, which was designated GOES-R before orbiting, was launched by an [[Atlas V|Atlas V 541 rocket]] from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|Space Launch Complex 41]] at [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]] in Florida on 19 November 2016.<ref name="Spaceflight Now">{{cite web | url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/goes-n/main/index.html | title=NASA Debuts the Entire 2008 Hurricane Season in New On-line Video | access-date=2009-06-28 | archive-date=2009-06-29 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629120928/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/goes-n/main/index.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> It underwent Post-Launch Testing through early 2017 before replacing GOES-13 as GOES-East.

[[GOES-17]] now serves as the on-orbit backup for GOES-East, following its replacement by GOES-18 and being relieved of the GOES-West role. The satellite, designated as GOES-S before orbiting, was launched by an Atlas V 541 rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 on 1 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/ula-atlas-goes-s-launch/|title=ULA Atlas V successfully launches with GOES-S – NASASpaceFlight.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-11|date=March 2018}}</ref> Following post-launch testing and troubleshooting of a problem in its imager, the satellite was declared operational in February 2019. Despite a [[GOES-17#Malfunctions|known cooling-system anomaly]], it remains capable of providing backup coverage, if needed.

===Inactive or repurposed===
Several GOES satellites are still in orbit but are either inactive or have been re-purposed.

Although [[GOES 3|GOES-3]] ceased to be used for weather operations in 1989, it spent over 20 years as a critical part of communications between the U.S. and [[Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station]] before being decommissioned in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/news-events/press-releases/2016/goes-3-satellite-decommissioned-after-linking-antarctica-to-the-world-for-m |publisher=University of Miami |title=Goes-3 Satellite Decommissioned After Linking Antarctica To The World For More Than 20 Years |access-date=27 August 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828061654/http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/news-events/press-releases/2016/goes-3-satellite-decommissioned-after-linking-antarctica-to-the-world-for-m |archive-date=28 August 2017 }}</ref> Geostationary satellites expend fuel to keep themselves stationary over the equator, and thus cannot normally ordinarily be seen from the poles. When that fuel is depleted, solar and lunar perturbations increase the satellite's inclination so that its [[ground track]] begins to describe an [[analemma]] (a figure-8 in the north–south direction). This usually ends the satellite's primary mission. However, when the inclination is high enough the satellite may begin to rise above the polar horizons at the extremes of the figure-8, as was the case for GOES-3. A nine-meter dish was constructed at the station, and communication with the satellite could be obtained for about five hours per day. Data rates were around 2.048 megabytes/second (bi-directional) under optimum conditions.

[[GOES 8|GOES-8]], which was designated GOES-I before orbiting, was the GOES-East satellite when it was in operation. It is in a parking orbit and is drifting westerly at a rate of about 4° daily.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goesstatus/spacecraftStatusSummary.asp?spacecraft=8 | title=GOES-8 Spacecraft Status Summary | publisher=NOAA | access-date=29 June 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818232536/http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goesstatus/spacecraftStatusSummary.asp?spacecraft=8 | archive-date=18 August 2006 }}</ref> It was decommissioned on 1 April 2003 and deactivated on 5 May 2004 after the failure of its propulsion system.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2217.htm | title=NOAA DEACTIVATES GOES-8 AFTER 10 YEARS OF SERVICE | publisher=NOAA | date=3 May 2004 | access-date=25 August 2006 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929010143/http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2217.htm | archive-date=29 September 2006 }}</ref>

[[GOES 10|GOES-10]], which was designated GOES-K before orbiting, was decommissioned on 2 December 2009 and was boosted to a [[graveyard orbit]]. It no longer had the fuel for required maneuvers to keep it on station.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/3990|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223031249/http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/3990|url-status=dead|title=Farewell to GOES-10 « CIMSS Satellite Blog|archive-date=December 23, 2009}}</ref>

[[GOES 11|GOES-11]], which was designated GOES-L before orbiting, had a partial failure on 6 December 2011. It was decommissioned on 16 December 2011 and boosted into a graveyard orbit.

[[GOES 12|GOES-12]], which was designated GOES-M before orbiting, was decommissioned on 16 August 2013 and boosted into a graveyard orbit.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/GOES/decommissioned.html | title=NOAA's Office of Satellite and Product Operations - GOES Status | website=www.ospo.noaa.gov | language=EN-US | access-date=24 June 2017 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604004447/http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/GOES/decommissioned.html | archive-date=4 June 2017 }}</ref>

[[GOES 13|GOES-13]], which was designated GOES-N before orbiting, was decommissioned on 3 January 2018 and boosted into storage orbit. It was transferred to the [[United States Space Force|U.S. Space Force]] and positioned at 61.5ºE under the new name EWS-G1. Following three years of monitoring the Indian Ocean, EWS-G1 was retired on 31 October 2023 when EWS-G2 (formerly GOES-15) took over.

[[GOES 14|GOES-14]] is in storage at 108.2° W. The launch of this satellite, which was designated GOES-O before orbiting, was delayed several times.<ref name="goes-o">{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html|title=Spaceflight Now|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911172414/http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html|archive-date=11 September 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=7 May 2009}}</ref><ref name="GOES-O">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GOES-O/main/index.html|title=GOES-O Mission Page|work=NASA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503071502/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GOES-O/main/index.html|archive-date=3 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=7 May 2009}}</ref> It was launched successfully on 27 June 2009 from Space Launch Complex 37, on a Delta IV Medium rocket,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2009/release-20090627.html|title=NASA and NOAA's GOES-O Satellite Successfully Launched|date=27 June 2009|publisher=NASA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629053451/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2009/release-20090627.html|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=live|access-date=28 June 2009}}</ref> a [[Delta IV Medium|Delta IV M+ (4,2)]]. It underwent Post-Launch Testing until December 2009 and then was placed in on-orbit storage.<ref name="GOESstatus">{{cite web|url=http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goesstatus/|title=GOES Spacecraft Status Main Page|publisher=NOAA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227082214/http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goesstatus/|archive-date=27 December 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=28 December 2011}}</ref> This satellite is a part of the GOES-N Series. GOES-14 has been and will be activated should another GOES satellite suffer a problem or be decommissioned.<ref name="And">{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=28462|title=NASA and NOAA's GOES-O Satellite Ready for Launch|author=Goddard Space Flight Center|date=16 June 2009|publisher=SpaceRef Interactive Inc.|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203074141/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=28462|archive-date=3 February 2013|url-status=live|access-date=23 June 2009}}</ref> It was temporarily designated GOES-East because of technical difficulties with GOES-13 and moved towards the GOES-East location. After resolution of those problems, GOES-14 was returned to storage.<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web|url=http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail2.php?MediaID=1195&MediaTypeID=1|title=GOES-14 Replaces GOES-13 as the GOES-East Satellite|publisher=NOAA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001003752/http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail2.php?MediaID=1195&MediaTypeID=1|archive-date=1 October 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

[[GOES 15|GOES-15]], which was designated GOES-P before orbiting, was launched successfully on 4 March 2010,<ref name="nasa.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html|title=NASA's Shuttle and Rocket Launch Schedule|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913085149/http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html|archive-date=13 September 2008|url-status=live|access-date=31 October 2009}}</ref><ref name="GOES-P Mission">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GOES-P/main/index.html|title=GOES-P Mission|publisher=NASA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304085051/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GOES-P/main/index.html|archive-date=4 March 2010|url-status=live|access-date=4 March 2010}}</ref> on a [[Delta IV Medium|Delta IV M+ (4,2)]]. From 2011 to 2018, it occupied the GOES-West position at 135°W over the Pacific Ocean.<ref name="GOES-15 Spacecraft Status Summary">{{cite web|url=http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goesstatus/spacecraftStatusSummary.asp?spacecraft=15|title=GOES-15 Spacecraft Status Summary|publisher=NOAA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415000112/http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goesstatus/spacecraftStatusSummary.asp?spacecraft=15|archive-date=15 April 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=27 December 2011}}</ref> It moved eastward to 128° W beginning on 29 October 2018 in order to make room for [[GOES-17]], which took over the GOES-West position on 10 December 2018.<ref name="g17ops">{{Cite web|url=https://www.goes-r.gov/users/transitionToOperations17.html|title=GOES-17 Transition to Operations │ GOES-R Series|website=www.goes-r.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-10-25}}</ref> GOES-15 operated in tandem with GOES-17 for some time, but was retired in early 2020 and moved to a parking orbit.<ref name="cimss.ssec.wisc.edu">{{Cite web |title=GOES-15 is no longer sending data — CIMSS Satellite Blog, CIMSS |date=2 March 2020 |url=https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/satellite-blog/archives/35844 |access-date=2023-05-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> GOES-15 was temporarily returned to operational status in August 2020 to fill a gap in the sensor capabilities of GOES-17 due to a hardware issue. Like GOES-13, GOES-15 was then transferred to the U.S. Space Force and renamed EWS-G2 to monitor the Indian Ocean until approximately 2030.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
Image:GOES coverage.svg|Coverage map of GOES-11 and GOES-12 when active (2007).
Image:GOES12Fulldiskvisible.png|GOES-12 visible light image.
Image:GOES12Fulldiskwatervapor.png|GOES-12 water vapor image.
</gallery>

==Purpose==
[[File:Generic GOES data relay pattern.jpg|thumbnail|left|GOES data relay pattern.]]

Designed to operate in [[geostationary orbit]] {{convert|35790|km}} above the Earth, the GOES spacecraft continuously view the [[continental United States]], the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, [[Central America]], [[South America]], and southern Canada. The three-axis, body-stabilized design enables the sensors to "stare" at the Earth and thus more frequently image clouds, monitor the Earth's surface temperature and [[water vapour]] fields, and sound the atmosphere for its vertical thermal and vapor structures. The evolution of [[atmospheric phenomena]] can be followed, ensuring real-time coverage of meteorological events such as severe local storms and [[tropical cyclone]]s. The importance of this capability was proven during hurricanes [[hurricane Hugo|Hugo]] (1989) and [[hurricane Andrew|Andrew]] (1992).

The GOES spacecraft also enhance operational services and improve support for atmospheric science research, [[numerical weather prediction]] models, and environmental sensor design and development.

Satellite data is broadcast on the [[L band|L-band]], and received at the NOAA Command and Data Acquisition [[ground station]] at [[Wallops Island, Virginia]]<ref>[http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/text/mission.html GOES-I/M MISSION, Goddard Space Flight Center (accessed 17 March 2008)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517040009/http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/text/mission.html |date=17 May 2008 }}</ref> from which it is disseminated to users. Additionally, anyone may receive data directly from the satellites by utilizing a small [[Satellite dish|dish]], and processing the data with special software.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goes-r.gov/users/user-systems.html|title=GOES-R User Systems|website=www.goes-r.gov|access-date=2017-07-18|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627184707/http://www.goes-r.gov/users/user-systems.html|archive-date=2017-06-27}}</ref>

The GOES satellites are controlled from the Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, Maryland. During significant weather or other events, the normal schedules can be altered to provide the coverage requested by the NWS and other agencies.

[[File:ExtremeEvent 20120304-00h 20120317-24h.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Space Weather -- March 2012.<ref>{{cite web | title=Extreme Space Weather Events | publisher=[[National Geophysical Data Center]] | url=http://sxi.ngdc.noaa.gov/sxi_greatest.html | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522031032/http://sxi.ngdc.noaa.gov/sxi_greatest.html | archive-date=2012-05-22 }}</ref>]]

GOES-12 and above also have provided a platform for the Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI) and space environment monitoring (SEM) instruments.

The SXI provides high-cadence monitoring of large scale solar structures to support the Space Environment Services Center's (SESC) mission. The SXI unit on GOES-13, however, was damaged by a solar flare in 2006. The SESC, as the nation's "space weather" service, receives, monitors, and interprets a wide variety of solar-terrestrial data. It also issues reports, alerts, and forecasts for special events such as solar flares or geomagnetic storms. This information is important to the operation of military and civilian radio wave and satellite communication and navigation systems. The information also is important to electric power networks, the missions of geophysical explorers, Space Station astronauts, high-altitude aviators, and scientific researchers.

The SEM measures the effect of the Sun on the near-Earth solar-terrestrial electromagnetic environment, providing real-time data to the SESC.

==Payload==
The main mission of a GOES satellite is carried out by the primary payload instruments, which are the Imager and the Sounder. The Imager is a multichannel instrument that senses infrared [[radiant energy]] and visible [[albedo|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.

GOES also offers the ''Data Collection System'', a ground-based meteorological platform [[satellite data collection]] and relay service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noaasis.noaa.gov/GOES/GOES_DCS/goes_dcs.html|title=GOES DCS|website=www.noaasis.noaa.gov}}</ref>
Other instruments on board the spacecraft are the SEM set, which consists of a [[magnetometer]], an [[X-ray]] sensor, a high energy [[proton]] and [[alpha particle]] detector, and an energetic particles sensor.

The GOES-N series (GOES-13 through GOES-15) spacecraft also have a sun-pointed extreme ultraviolet sensor.

[[Image:GOES logo - SSLoral.svg|thumb|200px|right|[[Ambigram|Invertible]] GOES logo designed for [[Space Systems/Loral]] by [[Scott Kim]]]]

In addition, the GOES satellites carry a search and rescue repeater that collects data from [[Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon]]s and Emergency Locator Transmitter beacons, which are used during search-and-rescue operations by the U.S. [[Air Force Rescue Coordination Center]].

===GOES-R Series===
The proposed instrument package for the GOES-R series initially included the following:<ref name="goes-r">{{cite web | url=http://www.goes-r.gov/spacesegment/spacecraft.html | title=GOES-R Spacecraft | work=Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Program (GOES) | publisher=Goddard Space Flight Center | access-date=12 August 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028071326/http://www.goes-r.gov/spacesegment/spacecraft.html | archive-date=28 October 2014 }}</ref><ref name="goes-r presentation">{{cite web | last=Hill | first=Steve | url=http://www.goes-r.gov/downloads/GOES%20Users%27%20Conference%20V/GUC%20V%20slides/231345%202008_AMS_HillGOESR_07.pdf | title=GOES-R Solar and Space Environment Data Products: Benefiting Users | work=Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Program (GOES) | publisher=NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center | date=Jan 2008 | access-date=31 December 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226143343/http://www.goes-r.gov/downloads/GOES%20Users%27%20Conference%20V/GUC%20V%20slides/231345%202008_AMS_HillGOESR_07.pdf | archive-date=26 February 2009 }}</ref>

* Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI)
* Hyperspectral Environmental Suite (HES)
* Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS), which includes two Magnetospheric Particle Sensors (MPS-HI and MPS-LO), an Energetic Heavy Ion Sensor, and a Solar and Galactic Proton Sensor
* Solar Imaging Suite, which includes the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI), the Solar X-Ray Sensor (XRS), and the Extreme Ultraviolet Sensor (EUVS)
* [[Geostationary Lightning Mapper]] (GLM)
* Magnetometer

In September 2006, the HES was cancelled.

==Satellite designations==
Before being launched, GOES satellites are designated by letters (A, B, C, etc.). Once a GOES satellite is launched successfully, it is redesignated with a number (1, 2, 3, etc.). So, GOES-A to GOES-F became GOES-1 to GOES-6. Because [[GOES-G]] was a launch failure, it never received a number. GOES-H to GOES-R became GOES-7 to GOES-16 (skipping GOES-Q, which was not built).

Once operational, the different locations used by the satellites are given a name corresponding to the regions they cover. These are GOES-East and GOES-West, which watch the eastern and western halves of the U.S., respectively. GOES-East is occupied by GOES-16,<ref name="GOES16">{{Cite web | url=http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-s-newest-geostationary-satellite-will-be-positioned-as-goes-east-fall | title=NOAA's newest geostationary satellite will be positioned as GOES-East this fall | website=www.noaa.gov | date=25 May 2017 | access-date=24 June 2017 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613000951/http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-s-newest-geostationary-satellite-will-be-positioned-as-goes-east-fall | archive-date=13 June 2017 }}</ref>  while GOES-West is occupied by GOES-17. The -East/-West designation is used more frequently than the satellite's number designation. GOES-IO ([[Indian Ocean]]), a new designation revealed in early May 2020, is currently occupied by GOES-13 (DOD-1).<ref>{{cite web |title=TPXS10 PGTW 040315 |url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9620fix.txt |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200504053459/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9620fix.txt |archive-date=4 May 2020 |date=4 May 2020}}</ref>

There was also a GOES-South position, which is meant to provide dedicated coverage of South America. Before the GOES-R series became operational, unless a satellite was dedicated to this continent, imagery of South America was updated every 3 hours instead of every 30 minutes.<ref name="goes-10">{{cite web | url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_sc/south_america_weather_satellite | title=U.S. to Reposition Satellite Over Amazon | agency=Associated Press | access-date=17 April 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423170705/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_sc/south_america_weather_satellite | archive-date=23 April 2006 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The GOES-South station was usually assigned to older satellites whose North American operations have been taken over by new satellites. For example, GOES-10 was moved from the GOES-West position to GOES-South after it was replaced in the -West station by GOES-11. When GOES-10 was decommissioned on 1 December 2009, GOES-South was taken over by GOES-12. Since the retirement of GOES-12 on 16 August 2013, the GOES-South station has been unoccupied. GOES-16 has since made the need for a dedicated GOES-South satellite obsolete; as of 2019, the satellite produces full disk images every 10 minutes.

==Development of GOES-R Series==
In September 2006, NOAA reduced the planned number of GOES-R satellites from four to two because of cost overrun concerns. The planned delivery schedule was also slowed down to reduce costs. The expected cost of the series is [[United States Dollar|$]]7.69 billion, a $670 million increase from the prior $7 billion estimate.<ref name=GAOreport>{{cite web | title=Acquisition Is Under Way, but Improvements Needed in Management and Oversight | url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09323.pdf | publisher=United States Government Accountability Office | first=David | last=Powner | date=2 April 2009 | access-date=29 June 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802132139/http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09323.pdf | archive-date=2 August 2009 }}</ref>

The contract for constructing the satellites and manufacturing the magnetometer, SUVI, and GLM was awarded to Lockheed Martin. This award was challenged by losing bidder Boeing;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/HALT12188.xml&headline=Boeing%20GOES-R%20Protest%20Halts%20Lockheed%20Work|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513193854/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news%2FHALT12188.xml&headline=Boeing%20GOES-R%20Protest%20Halts%20Lockheed%20Work|url-status=dead|title=Boeing GOES-R Protest Halts Lockheed Work|archive-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref> however, the protest was subsequently dismissed.

The ABI instrument was delivered by [[L3Harris]] (formerly [[ITT Corporation|ITT Exelis]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geospatial.itt.com/news/news_110602.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917081959/http://www.geospatial.itt.com/news/news_110602.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2011|title=ITT Geospatial Systems|date=September 17, 2011}}</ref> The SEISS was delivered by Assurance Technology Corporation.

XRS and EUVS are being combined into the Extreme Ultra Violet and X-Ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS), which was delivered by the [[Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics]] of the [[University of Colorado]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://info.aiaa.org/Regions/MW/Rocky_MNT/Past%20Events/2008-02-21.pdf |title=GOES-R EXIS Extreme Ultra Violet and X-Ray Irradiance Sensors |website=info.aiaa.org |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229065523/https://info.aiaa.org/Regions/MW/Rocky_MNT/Past%20Events/2008-02-21.pdf |archive-date=29 December 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The contract for the ground system, including data processing, was awarded to a team led by the Weather Systems division of [[L3Harris]], including subcontracts to Boeing, Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), [[Honeywell]], Carr Astronautics, [[Wyle Laboratories]], and [[Ares Incorporated|Ares]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govcomm.harris.com/solutions/products/000042.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511123930/http://www.govcomm.harris.com/solutions/products/000042.asp|archive-date=May 11, 2011|date=May 11, 2011 |title=GOES-R (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) |url-status=live |access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref>

==Status of GOES satellites==
{{Main|List of GOES satellites}}

GOES spacecraft have been manufactured by [[Boeing]] (GOES-D through -H and GOES-N through -P) and [[Space Systems/Loral]] (GOES-A through -C and GOES-I through -M). The GOES-I series (I-M) and the GOES-N series (N-P) are documented in the [https://web.archive.org/web/20090320141945/http://goes.gsfc.nasa.gov/text/goes.databook.html "GOES I–M Databook"] and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20090313193158/http://goes.gsfc.nasa.gov/text/goes.databookn.html "GOES-N Series Databook"], respectively. The GOES-R series was built by [[Lockheed Martin]] with the first and second in the series, GOES-16 and -17, declared operational in early 2019.<ref name="denver20190212">{{cite news|url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/02/12/goes-17-satellite-now-operational/|title=Colorado Built GOES-17 Satellite Now Operational For Western U.S.|publisher=CBS Denver|first=Chris|last=Spears|date=12 February 2019|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> Following an equipment failure on GOES-17, it was replaced by GOES-18 in January 2023, with the former taken out of service to act as a backup.<ref name="goes17west">{{cite web |url=https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/earth-orbit-noaas-goes-18-now-goes-west |title=Earth from Orbit: NOAA's GOES-18 is now GOES West |work=[[NOAA]] |date=4 January 2023 |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref>

Boeing would have built and launched GOES-Q only if GOES-O or GOES-P had failed to be delivered on-orbit in good working order.

[[Image:First image from GOES Spac0041.jpg|thumb|200px|The first image obtained from the GOES-1 satellite, 25 October 1975, 1645 UTC.]]

* [[GOES 1|GOES-1]], launched on 16 October 1975, ''decommissioned on 7 March 1985''
* [[GOES 2|GOES-2]], launched on 16 June 1977, ''decommissioned on 5 May 2001, before which a comsat for the South Pole, Peacesat''
* [[GOES 3|GOES-3]], launched on 16 June 1978, ''decommissioned on 29 June 2016, before which a comsat for the South Pole, Peacesat''
* [[GOES 4|GOES-4]], launched on 9 September 1980, ''decommissioned on 9 October 1988''
* [[GOES 5|GOES-5]], launched on 22 May 1981, ''decommissioned 18 July 1990''
* [[GOES 6|GOES-6]], launched on 28 April 1983, ''decommissioned on 19 May 1992''
* [[GOES-G]], launched on 3 May 1986, ''failed to achieve orbit''
* [[GOES 7|GOES-7]], launched on 26 February 1987, ''decommissioned on 12 April 2012, before which a comsat for Peacesat''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.peacesat.hawaii.edu/text/20services/Technologies/GOES7/tech_notes.htm | title=TECHNICAL NOTES ON GOES-7 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008013120/http://www.peacesat.hawaii.edu/text/20services/Technologies/GOES7/tech_notes.htm | archive-date=2011-10-08}}</ref>
* [[GOES 8|GOES-8]], launched on 13 April 1994, ''decommissioned on 5 May 2004''
* [[GOES 9|GOES-9]], launched on 23 May 1995, ''decommissioned on 15 June 2007''
* [[GOES 10|GOES-10]], launched on 25 April 1997, ''decommissioned on 2 December 2009''<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=671251671 | title=GOES-10 Is Going, Going... Gone... | work=Satnews | date=2 December 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513193729/http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=671251671 | archive-date=13 May 2011}}</ref>
* [[GOES 11|GOES-11]], launched on 3 May 2000, ''decommissioned on 16 December 2011''
* [[GOES 12|GOES-12]], launched on 23 July 2001, ''decommissioned on 16 August 2013, before which provided coverage for South America''<ref name="GOES Status1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/GOES/decommissioned.html | title=GOES Decommissioned Satellites | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604004447/http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/GOES/decommissioned.html | archive-date=2017-06-04}}</ref>
* [[GOES 13|GOES-13]], launched on 24 May 2006, ''decommissioned on 31 October 2023, before which used by the [[United States Space Force|U.S. Space Force]] for the Indian Ocean as EWS-G1''
* [[GOES 14|GOES-14]], launched on 27 June 2009, ''in on-orbit storage, but no longer considered a backup, located at 108.2° W''<ref name="OSPO-ops"/>
* [[GOES 15|GOES-15]], launched on 4 March 2010, ''decommissioned in late 2018, used from 2020 in tandem with GOES-17, then operational for Indian Ocean since November 2023 as EWS-G2''<ref name="ussf-20230922">{{cite web |url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3534522/space-force-accepts-second-weather-satellite-through-noaa-partnership/ |title=Space Force accepts second weather satellite through NOAA partnership |date=22 September 2023 |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=U.S. Space Force}}</ref>
* [[GOES 16|GOES-16]], launched on 19 November 2016, ''served as GOES-East from 18 December 2017 to 7 April 2025, now in stand-by''<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://satelliteliaisonblog.com/2017/09/28/goes-16-to-goes-east-drift-plan/|title=GOES-16 to GOES-East Drift Plan|date=2017-09-28|work=Satellite Liaison Blog|access-date=2017-09-29|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929140601/https://satelliteliaisonblog.com/2017/09/28/goes-16-to-goes-east-drift-plan/|archive-date=2017-09-29}}</ref>
* [[GOES-17]], launched on 1 March 2018,<ref name="nsf20180301">{{cite news |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/ula-atlas-goes-s-launch/ |title=ULA Atlas V successfully launches with GOES-S |work=NASASpaceFlight.com |first=William |last=Graham |date=1 March 2018 |access-date=1 March 2018}}</ref> ''served as GOES-West from 12 February 2019 to 3 January 2023, now in stand-by''<ref name="goes17ops">{{cite web|url=https://www.nextgov.com/analytics-data/2019/02/next-gen-weather-satellite-operational-over-western-us/154821/|title=Next-Gen Weather Satellite Operational Over Western U.S.|website=Nextgov.com|date=12 February 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-11}}</ref>
* [[GOES-18]], launched on 1 March 2022, ''in operation as GOES-West since 3 January 2023''<ref name="goes17west"/>
* [[GOES-19]], launched on 25 June 2024, ''in operation as GOES-East since 7 April 2025''<ref name="OSPO-ops"/>

==See also==
* [[Applications Technology Satellites]]
* [[Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera]]
* [[Geostationary Extended Observations]] (GeoXO)
* [[Multi-Functional Transport Satellite]]
* [[Polar Operational Environmental Satellites]]
* [[Remote sensing]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

; Attribution

{{Include-NASA}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite journal |last1=Lombardi |first1=Michael A. |last2=Hanson |first2=D. Wayne |date=March–April 2005 |title=The GOES Time Code Service, 1974-2004: A Retrospective |journal=Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology |volume=110 |issue=2 |pages=79–96 |doi=10.6028/jres.110.008 |pmid=27308105 |pmc=4847573 }}

==External links==
* [http://www.weather.gov/sat_tab.php?image=ir National Weather Service Satellite Images (current plus 3,6,12 and 24 hr loops)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050905030322/http://www.oso.noaa.gov/goes/index.htm GOES Operations on NOAA website]
* [http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/482777 LM/SAIC/IBM partnership announced for GOES]
* [http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/ GOES gallery]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161021212815/http://www.ualr.edu/yxchan/WhitePaperrevise.htm Introduction to satellite imagery]
* [http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/GOES/decommissioned.html Status of decommissioned GOES 8-12 satellites]
* [https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/airs-web/search GOES terrestrial data]
* [https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/satellite/goes-r GOES space weather data]

{{GOES}}
{{Satellite and spacecraft instruments}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites| ]]