GOES Satellites and Their Uses

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GOES is a system of geostationary equatorial satellites that provide information on Earth’s weather. GOES has been a key element in weather monitoring in the United States since 1974. NASA oversees the design and procurement of the satellites. NOAA provides the data from the spacecraft. The data are available for use in weather and climate forecasting applications. Users can access the data through software called SPEDAS.

GOES satellites collect data from satellites and create a more detailed image than conventional satellites. They also superimpose state and county boundaries on satellite images. This helps meteorologists predict weather and climate patterns in the world. These satellites can also provide images of landmasses and other features that are not visible from the ground.

There are two types of GOES satellites. The GOES East satellite is located at 75 degrees above the equator, while the GOES West satellite is at 135 degrees. The GOES East satellite provides a good view of the U.S., except for western states such as Alaska. The GOES West satellite provides a better view of the western states and a large part of the Pacific Ocean.

The GOES-18 satellite launched on March 1, 2019. Now, it is undergoing post-launch testing. The GOES-18 team has spent years developing this satellite, and it’s now ready for launch into space. It is an important part of the US weather monitoring system. It helps forecast hazardous weather events, protect power grids, and monitor natural disasters. In the long run, GOES satellites save lives.

The GOES satellites have a life span of about ten years. Launched in 1996, GOES is an excellent tool for forecasting and tracking the weather. The satellites are designed to provide global weather and climate data. However, the mission is not without its difficulties. For the next decade, the US will continue to use the GOES satellites.

The GOES satellites monitor visible light reflected off cloud tops and the Earth’s surface. These images can only be obtained during daylight hours. They help scientists and meteorologists recognize different types of clouds, and track their movement and severity. They also provide information on cloud cover and the distribution of ozone. These satellites will help the SESC monitor weather and climate conditions.

GOES-East has six instruments that provide infrared and visible images of the earth. Each instrument can produce images in up to 16 wavelengths, or channels. Each channel produces images that approximate what the human eye would see in the Earth’s surface at any given moment. The data provided by each instrument is used to estimate air temperatures, identify cloud cover, and supplement other observations by the ASOS satellite.

The GOES-16 satellite was launched on April 11, 2018. Its predecessor, GOES-West, will be replaced by GOES-16 in 2018. Its lifespan is expected to be seven years.