Monday was a big day for the GOES-S satellite. It has reached geostationary orbit (22,300 miles out in space) and has now officially received a new name…GOES-17! The satellite will be called GOES-17 for the remainder of its lifespan. GOES satellites are designated with a letter prior to launch and a number once they achieve geostationary orbit.
[The image shows the GOES West operational location coverage map.]
The satellite was launched on March 1st. Later this year, after undergoing a full checkout and validation of its six high-tech instruments, the new satellite will move to the GOES-West position and become operational. From there, it constantly will provide advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather.
LIVE: Watch the GOES-S Satellite Launch
LIVE: Watch the NOAA Satellite and Information Service GOES-S Satellite launch!Set time is at 5:02 p.m. ET.
Posted by WeatherNation on Thursday, March 1, 2018
GOES-S is scheduled to be launched March 1st. Five Reasons GOES-S will be a Game-Changer for Weather Forecasts in the Western U.S.: https://t.co/7QTXDJTJUo pic.twitter.com/FZooMo3rTQ
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) February 22, 2018
The GOES-S satellite will provide faster, more accurate and more detailed data, in near real-time, to track storm systems, lightning, wildfires, coastal fog and other hazards that affect the western United States.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels