1 National Satellite and Information Service Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) Mary E. Kicza Deputy Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 1, th GOES User's Conference

2 AGENDA NOAA Geostationary Satellite History Operational Status GOES-N Launch Activities GOES-10 Support to South America 2005 Accomplishments

NOAA’s Operational Environmental Satellite Constellation

4 NOAA Geostationary Satellite History NASA's Synchronous Meteorological Satellites (SMS) 1 & 2 Became NOAA’s GOES-1 through GOES-3 Geostationary satellite experiment begun in 1966 Limited operational capability Observed earth only 10% of the time Monitored cataclysmic weather events Visible Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR) Full-disk day and night imagery of clouds

5 NOAA Geostationary Satellite History Added vertical sounding – First geostationary satellite to provide vertical atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles Imaging and sounding instruments could not operate simultaneously GOES-7 carried experimental search & rescue payload providing near- instantaneous detection of emergency distress signals GOES-4 through GOES-7

6 NOAA Geostationary Satellite History 1994-Present Three-axis stabilized spacecraft with separate imager & sounder Provides simultaneous imaging and sounding, 100% of the time – visual and infrared Receives data from world-wide in situ sensors: free-floating balloons, buoys and remote automatic data collection stations around the world GOES-8 through GOES-12

7 NOAA Geostationary Satellite History Present Simultaneous and independent imaging and sounding allows more frequent imaging “Stare” capability added Improved pointing accuracy and less thermal distortion Flexible scan control allows for improved short- term weather forecasts in local areas Improved power subsystem permits uninterrupted operations during eclipse periods GOES-N through GOES-P

8 GOES Constellation GOES I-M (8-12)* Series: Operational since 1994 GOES N-P Series: –GOES-N: Launch date no earlier than May 18, 2006 –GOES-O: In storage –GOES-P: In assembly phase GOES R Series: In Program Definition and Risk Reduction Phase * Note: satellites are labeled with letters on the ground and changed to numbers on-orbit Two satellites and on-orbit spare N S Subsatellite Point Equator 22,300 Mi

9 GOES Mission GOES East GOES West

10 Severe Weather Outbreaks & Tornadic Events

11 GOES Operational Status GOES-9: Launched May 23, 1995 –Status: Back-up spacecraft located at 155° West Longitude –Partially mission-capable & nearing end of life GOES-10: Launched April 25, 1997 –Status: Operational as GOES West at 135° West Longitude –Will begin drift maneuver to 60° West Longitude in support South American coverage following successful GOES-N launch and checkout GOES-11: Launched May 3, 2000 –Status: On-orbit spare located at 114° West Longitude –Replacement for GOES-10 at 135° West Longitude location following GOES-10 drift and GOES-N launch and check-out GOES-12: Launched July 23, 2001 –Status: Operational as GOES-East at 75° West Longitude –Sounder filter wheel running slower than normal – ground software modification under consideration

12 Spacecraft Planned Launch Dates GOES-N 18 May 2006 GOES-OApr 2008 GOES-POct 2009 GOES-N Series Planned Launches

13 GOES-N Launch and Checkout Launch scheduled for May 18, 2006 –Window: GMT (6:14-7:14 p.m. EDT) –Launch vehicle: Delta IV –Flight Readiness Review – May 12 –Launch Readiness Review – May 17 –Launch vehicle and spacecraft are “Go” Post-Launch Test – Two major phases –Bus & Payload Activation & Characterization Test days Instrument activation Spacecraft bus testing –System performance and operations testing – 148 days Image navigation and registration (INR) Radiometric calibration Start of station keeping cycle Spacecraft placed into storage at conclusion of post-launch test NOAA begins mission operations approximately 204 days after launch

14 Integrated Global Observing System Sustained Integrated Comprehensive India INSATU.S. GOES Global

Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Membership open to all countries –60 countries (including the EC) are now represented International organizations are participants –43 organizations are now represented Organized into 5 subgroups Established GEO Secretariat Established Implementation Plan Task Team

16 GOES-10 Support South America Agreement between NOAA and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Association #3 – Nov 2005 Objectives –Allow Region 3 members to optimize detection, forecast and warning of severe weather events –Strengthen professional growth and training opportunities –Improve data reception Regional Benefits –Enhance WMO’s World Weather Watch Global Observing System –Help limit effects of natural disasters in South America – primarily flooding –Improve energy and water resource management Implementation –GOES-10 will be drifted to 60° West Longitude to provide sensor coverage Contingent upon successful launch and activation of GOES-N GOES-10 could be recalled if GOES constellation should experience failures –Operations planned to begin about October 2006

17 GOES Program 2005 Accomplishments Operational spacecraft – Continues to provide vital data –Played significant role during 2005 hurricane season Unprecedented coverage – one image every five minutes for five days GOES image provided in real time to airborne NOAA P-3 crew performing Katrina mission –First-ever South American support planned for later in 2006 GOES-N Series – Ready for launch –Upgraded power subsystem – significantly reduced eclipse period outages –Improved pointing accuracy – more consistent imagery –Increased quantity – 1400 more imagery products; 500 more sounder products per year GOES-R Series – Acquisition program underway –Program Definition and Risk Reduction Phase in progress –Successful Systems Requirements Review –Will provide significant increases in quantity and quality of data

18 GOES Tracks Hurricane Katrina

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