Purpose Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

goes data relay pattern.

designed operate in geostationary orbit 35,790 kilometres (22,240 mi) above earth, goes spacecraft continuously view continental united states, pacific , atlantic oceans, central america, south america, , southern canada. three-axis, body-stabilized design enables sensors stare @ earth , more image clouds, monitor earth s surface temperature , water vapour fields, , sound atmosphere vertical thermal , vapor structures. evolution of atmospheric phenomena can followed, ensuring real-time coverage of meteorological events such severe local storms , tropical cyclones. importance of capability proven during hurricanes hugo (1989) , andrew (1992).

the goes spacecraft enhance operational services , improve support atmospheric science research, numerical weather prediction models, , environmental sensor design , development.

satellite data broadcast on l-band, , received @ noaa command , data acquisition ground station @ wallops island, virginia disseminated users. additionally, may receive data directly satellites utilizing small dish, , processing data special software.

the goes satellites controlled satellite operations control center in suitland, maryland. during significant weather or other events, normal schedules can altered provide coverage requested nws , other agencies.

space weather -- march 2012.

goes-12 , above have provided platform solar x-ray imager (sxi) , space environment monitoring (sem) instruments.

the sxi provides high-cadence monitoring of large scale solar structures support space environment services center s (sesc) mission. sxi unit on goes-13, however, damaged solar flare in 2006. sesc, nation s space weather service, receives, monitors, , interprets wide variety of solar-terrestrial data. issues reports, alerts, , forecasts special events such solar flares or geomagnetic storms. information important operation of military , civilian radio wave , satellite communication , navigation systems. information important electric power networks, missions of geophysical explorers, space station astronauts, high-altitude aviators, , scientific researchers.

the sem measures effect of sun on near-earth solar-terrestrial electromagnetic environment, providing real-time data sesc.