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An Image of GOES West and GOES East NOAA Satelltes Fleet

So You Launched A Satellite, Now What?

On March 1, 2018, at 5:02 PM ET, NOAA’s GOES-S satellite blasted off into space and soon took its place as GOES-17, the nation’s newest satellite in NOAA’s most advanced geostationary series. The Atlas V rocket that launched the satellite propelled it into orbit 22,000 miles above Earth. Although the young satellite has already traveled far from home, its journey to become a vital component of the United States’ weather forecasting operations is only just beginning.
2017 Sarsat Info Gram

Happy #406Day18 - SARSAT Beacon Awareness Day

April 6, 2018 is #406Day18! We are raising awareness about the Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System (SARSAT) which uses 406 MHz distress signals from emergency beacons to save lives around the world. Register yours today here:   https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov and learn more about SARSAT here: http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov
A graphic of the GOES-17 Magnetometer Earthward Component Timeseries

NOAA GOES-17 Sends 'First Light' Image to Earth

We have received the 'first-light' from our recently launched NOAA GOES-17 satellite! On March 22, 2018, the GOES-17 Magnetometer (MAG) became the first instrument on the satellite to begin transmitting data. The Magnetometers on the GOES-R series of satellites (including GOES-16, currently GOES East, and now GOES-17), can observe more wave frequencies, at five times higher resolution, allowing us to conduct new research into space weather. The space weather products from the magnetometer data can help scientists better forecast the likelihood that elevated levels of dangerous energetic particles will occur during events like solar flares.
NOAA GOES-13 Captures Large Areas of Freezing Rain over the Central Plains, April 9, 2013.

Weird Weather - NOAA Satellites Keep Watch When Weather Gets Weird

From thundersnow to upwards striking lightning, weather on Planet Earth can get pretty weird and NOAA’s fleet of satellites has seen it all! 
NOAA GOES East Satellite Captures the First Images from Space of Gigantic Jet Lightning

NOAA GOES East Satellite Captures the First Images from Space of Gigantic Jet Lightning

NOAA GOES East (GOES-16) satellite's Geostationary Lightning Mapper has captured the first images from space of 'gigantic jet' lightning - electrical discharges from a thunderstorm that come out the TOP of the storm and reach as high as the ionosphere (that's 50 miles up)
The image shows the GOES West operational location coverage map.

NOAA GOES-S Satellite, now GOES-17!

Today is 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. 
GOES-S To Map Lightning in the West

GOES-S To Map Lightning in the West

NOAA GOES-S will not only image the Earth as it sees it in true color, it also will be able to detect and monitor weather phenomena as they develop in real time - like lightning.
JPSS-1 (NOAA-20) lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base on November 18, 2017.

From Launch to Operations: What Happens During NOAA-20’s Checkout Phase

The launch of JPSS-1 (now NOAA-20) was officially deemed a success about one hour after liftoff on November 18, 2017, when the satellite separated from the upper stage of the Delta II launch vehicle and its solar array deployed. Mission accomplished then, right? Not quite.  
This graphic shows coverage of the Western Hemisphere by GOES-East and GOES-West. (NOAA)

Five Reasons GOES-S will be a Game-Changer for Weather Forecasts in the Western U.S.

Excitement is building for the launch of GOES-S. On March 1, 2018, NOAA’s newest geostationary satellite will launch into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida. GOES-S (which will become GOES-17 once it reaches its final orbit) will significantly enhance weather forecasting capabilities across the western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii and provide critical data and imagery of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean extending all the way to New Zealand. Here are five reasons why GOES-S will be such a game-changer for weather forecasts from California to Alaska and beyond.