Overview
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) system is operated by NOAA with NASA providing development and launch services. GOES satellites sit in geostationary orbit, appearing fixed above the equator to provide continuous weather monitoring of the Western Hemisphere. The current generation (GOES-R series) provides imagery at 1-minute intervals during severe weather events.
Current Fleet
| Satellite | Position | Launched | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOES-16 (East) | 75.2°W | Nov 2016 | Eastern US, Atlantic, East Coast weather |
| GOES-18 (West) | 137.2°W | Mar 2022 | Western US, Pacific, West Coast weather |
| GOES-17 | On-orbit spare | Mar 2018 | Backup |
Instruments
The GOES-R series carries the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) — imaging in 16 spectral bands with resolution down to 500 m. It also carries the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) — detecting lightning strikes across the hemisphere in real time. These instruments enable severe weather detection, hurricane tracking, fire monitoring, and aviation weather services.
Why GEO?
At geostationary altitude, GOES satellites orbit at exactly Earth's rotation rate, appearing fixed in the sky. This allows them to continuously monitor the same region — essential for tracking rapidly developing weather systems. The trade-off is lower spatial resolution compared to LEO satellites, offset by the continuous temporal coverage.