GOESsatelliiteilla

GOESsatelliiteilla refers to the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) program, a fleet of weather satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in collaboration with NASA. The GOES program provides continuous imagery and data for the Western Hemisphere, supporting weather forecasting, severe weather monitoring, environmental monitoring, and space weather observation. The series has evolved through multiple generations since the 1970s.

The satellites operate in geostationary orbit at about 35,786 kilometers above the Earth, fixed relative to the surface to monitor the same region over time. Each spacecraft carries instruments such as the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), which captures high-resolution multispectral images in visible and infrared bands; the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), which detects and locates lightning; and, on some models, the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI), which monitors solar activity that can affect space weather. The GOES-R series introduced notable improvements in imaging speed, resolution, and product capability, enhancing timeliness for weather warnings and scientific research.

GOES data and imagery are widely used by meteorologists, forecasters, researchers, and the public via national weather services and data portals. Products include continuous regional imagery, cloud analysis, surface and atmospheric temperatures, moisture, and lightning data, among others. Operationally, two GOES satellites are typically active, designated GOES-East and GOES-West, providing comprehensive coverage of the Americas. The program maintains data continuity through planned launches and upgrades to successor missions.