The word goes means to proceed or move forward in some way. It can be used to describe physical movement like driving a car or walking down the street, or it can refer to a process such as completing a project or task. A beach can go on for miles, or an airplane can go from the United States to India. A weather satellite can also go from Earth to another planet, or it can go from one location to the next.

The GOES satellite series has been a key element of NOAA’s weather monitoring and forecasting since its first launch on October 25, 1974. GOES satellites orbit in geosynchronous equatorial orbit 35,790 kilometers (22,240 miles) above the Earth. Two satellites monitor the United States: GOES East and GOES West.

Each GOES satellite has a series of sensors that can monitor Earth’s surface and atmosphere. One of the most important sensors is the visible light imager, which looks at sunlight reflected off cloud tops and the surface of the Earth. This provides meteorologists with a variety of information about developing severe weather. It can identify cloud types, track cloud motion, and provide early warning of storms that may impact navigational systems, high altitude aircraft, or power grids on Earth.

Visible light images are available only during daylight hours, but GOES also has several other operational sensors that can be used at other times. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) is an improved version of the older GOES satellites, and it offers much higher resolution, three times more channels, and five times faster scanning. The Enhanced Water Vapor (EWV) sensor can detect water vapor in the atmosphere, and the Solar Ultraviolet Irradiance (SUVI) sensor measures UV radiation from the Sun.

GOES can also detect the signals transmitted by 406 MHz emergency beacons used by planes, ocean-going vessels, and individuals in need of assistance. It relays this information to search and rescue organizations for their use in finding and returning the people in distress to safety.

The GOES-R system will offer critical atmospheric, hydrologic, oceanic, climatic, and solar and space data to NOAA’s central processing centers and direct users. The system is planned to be in operation for a minimum of 14 years, and will deliver full hemispheric coverage with a very low latency. The GOES-R program is managed by NOAA with oversight and funding provided by the Department of Commerce.