What is a GOES Satellite?

The game of go is a board game for two players. It is played with black and white stones, and it has a rich history that spans many cultures throughout East Asia. It was not widely practiced in the West until the 20th century, when it gained popularity. Go was the first Asian board game to be introduced to the Western world. A game of Go is won by the player who creates a connected series of points, called chains, that cover more of the board than his opponent’s. The chains must be free of other stones, called liberties, or the player loses. A liberties count can be done with the hand or with a Go scorer.

To go is to move from one place to another. The verb can be used to mean something physical, such as a person moving from home to school or the beach, or it can mean a process or activity, such as studying for an exam. It can also mean an event or situation, such as a relationship going well or food turning bad.

A GOES satellite is an Earth observation satellite that has been in geostationary orbit since 1975. It is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of its geostationary operational environmental satellite system, to provide continuous imagery and data on atmospheric conditions and solar activity. GOES data has led to more accurate and timely weather forecasts and improved understanding of long-term climate conditions.

The GOES family of spacecraft include the GOES-11, GOES-12, GOES-13, GOES-14, GOES-15, and GOES-N series. Each satellite is designated with a letter before launch and a number once it achieves its geostationary position.

Each satellite is equipped with a number of instrument packages, which are usually combined into a single system that is referred to as a GOES Imager and Sounder. The GOES Imager provides images of the Earth’s surface and clouds, while the GOES Sounder instruments sound the atmosphere for its vertical thermal and water vapor structures. These observations help scientists understand the evolution of various atmospheric phenomena and contribute to the development of better models for predicting weather.

GOES satellites are designed to provide a high level of service by monitoring severe weather events and supporting atmospheric science research, numerical weather prediction model design, and environmental sensor development. The GOES fleet is controlled by NOAA’s Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, Maryland. When significant weather or other events occur, the normal schedule for GOES can be altered to provide more extensive coverage as needed.

GOES systems have been in use for 40 years, and they continue to provide critical meteorological data to support weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, and meteorology research. The GOES satellites and ground system operate in close coordination with the National Weather Service, the Meteorological Service of Canada, and other NOAA partners. They are a key component of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service division. The GOES system supports NOAA’s mission to provide public service through global, reliable environmental information and products.