About GOES-R Series

The GOES-R Series is a four-satellite program (GOES-R/S/T/U) that will extend the availability of the operational GOES satellite system through 2036. GOES-R was launched in November 2016 and is now GOES-16 and GOES-S was launched in March 2017 and is now GOES-17. Detailed information is available in the GOES-R Series Data Book.

The Direct Broadcast services on the GOES-R Series include the GOES Rebroadcast (GRB) and High Rate Information Transmission Emergency Managers Weather Information. Network (HRIT/EMWIN).

The GOES-16 instruments are the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS), Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS), Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI), Magnetometer (MAG) and Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM). There are three classifications of the GOES-R series instruments: nadir pointing, solar-pointing, and in-situ.

Nadir-Pointing

• Earth-pointed
• Highly stable, precision, pointed platform
• Dynamically isolated from the rest of the spacecraft
• Supports operation of the ABI and GLM

Solar-Pointing

• Utilizes a Sun Pointing Platform housed on the solar array yoke that provides a stable platform that tracks the seasonal and daily movement of the sun relative to the spacecraft
• Supports operation of the EXIS, SUVI, and the Unique Payload Services

In-Situ

• Features include:
  • A wide variance in Field-of-View (FOV) requirements for the SEISS sensors
  • A boom to provide relative magnetic isolation for the Magnetometer
  • SEISS and the Magnetometer provide localized measurements of particles and fields in geosynchronous orbit

The satellites in the GOES-R Series are:

• GOES-R (now GOES-16) launched on November 19, 2016.
• GOES-16 is currently operating as GOES East.
• GOES-17 is currently operating as GOES West
• GOES-S (now GOES-17) launched on March 1, 2017
• GOES-T is planned for launch in December 2021
• GOES-U is planned to launch in 2024

Caption: GOES-17 Sees Ferguson Fire:GOES-17 shares its first wildfire imagery showing the deadly Ferguson Fire burning near Yosemite National Park. The Fire had burned over 12,000 acres and was only 5% contained as of July 17, 2018. This loop is from 2:46 pm to 7:06 pm PDT on July 16, 2017. GOES-17 Preliminary, Non-Operational Data.

Credit: NOAA/NASA/CIRA