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Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite A-C (GOES A-C)
Status:
Completed
Mission Category:
Inter-Agency Partnerships
Launch Date: October 16, 1975
Launch Location: Cape Canaveral, FL
The launch of the prototype Synchronous Meteorological Satellite, SMS-A, in May 1974 inaugurated the series of geosynchronous satellites that has provided systematic, continuous observations of weather patterns. A second prototype, SMS-B, followed in February 1975. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program formally began with the launch of the first operational spacecraft, GOES-A, in 1975, which was renamed GOES-1 when it reached orbit. GOES-2 and GOES-3 followed in 1977 and 1978, respectively. These spacecraft obtained both day and night data on Earth’s weather from the Visible Infrared Spin-Span Radiometer (VISSR), a scanning instrument that formed images of Earth’ surface and cloud cover for transmission to regional data-user stations. These data were used in weather prediction and forecasting as well as for monitoring the space environment.
Key Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite A-C Facts
| Mission/Portal Page: | http://science.nasa.gov/missions/goes/ |
|---|---|
| Instruments: |
DCS (Data Collection System) SEM (Space Environment Monitor) VISSR (Visible Infrared Spin-Scan Radiometer) |
| Project Scientist(s): |
William E. Shenk |
Relevant Science Focus Areas:
- Weather
Relevant Science Questions:
- How is the global Earth system changing?
Related Applications:
- Weather Prediction