The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, or GOES, program is the core of NOAA’s weather satellite network that supports meteorology forecasting and severe storm tracking, as well as Earth science research. GOES satellites orbit 22,236 miles above the Earth’s equator, and follow a path that enables the same geographic region to be continuously observed over time.

GOES provides advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of the Western Hemisphere, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and monitoring of solar activity and space weather. It also delivers valuable information to support disaster response efforts and help enhance aviation safety.

Since its inception, GOES satellites have experienced significant improvements that have improved the quality of data they provide for National Weather Service operations and meteorology research. These advances have helped to make GOES satellites among the most powerful tools in the meteorologist’s arsenal.

For example, GOES-I (launched in 1994) brought real improvement in the quantity and continuity of data from GOES satellites. This was achieved by the use of two technological advances: three-axis stabilization of the satellite; and separate optics for imaging and sounding. Consequently, GOES-I-series satellites could better pinpoint locations of rapidly developing events like thunderstorms and tornadoes by suspending their routine scans to focus on specific areas.

GOES-II-series satellites further improved the imager and sounder by adding a feature called Image Navigation and Registration, which uses the location of geographic landmarks and stars to precisely locate the coordinates of an intense storm. This feature enabled a much more detailed picture of a storm to be displayed on screen and transmitted to the ground. In addition, the sounder was improved to include 19 channels to sense reflected solar energy and emitted thermal energy for atmospheric soundings.

The GOES-M series of satellites (launched in 2001) introduced the Space Environment Monitor (SEM) package to the fleet. The SEM package consists of the Energy Particle Sensors (EPS, HEPAD), a magnetometer, and the Solar Soft X-Ray Sensor.

SEM has a unique capability to measure the Sun’s particle flux in geostationary orbit by using its solar wind instruments. The SEM sensors are able to detect protons, alpha particles, and electrons. The SEM data is important for monitoring the solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can affect the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field and lead to radiation-related hazards.

The GOES-14-series satellites, launched in 2015 and 2016, will improve the quantity and continuity of data. The GOES-14 satellite will provide a new 10-minute full disk image every 5 minutes, increasing the temporal cadence of the imager by more than three times over the previous GOES-11 and -11B satellites. Besides improving weather forecasting, the faster temporal cadence will be particularly useful in monitoring volcanic eruptions and their associated ash plumes that can pose a threat to aviation safety.

The GOES-15 and -16 satellites will introduce the Geostationary Lightning Mapper to the fleet. The GLM will be the first operational lightning mapping satellite in geostationary orbit. It will provide a full disk image of the Western Hemisphere every 10 minutes, increasing the speed at which lightning activity can be monitored.