GOES-19 Transition to Operations

GOES-U, the fourth and last satellite in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) series, launched from Cape Canaveral on June 25, 2024 aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket. Once GOES-U reached geostationary orbit, its designation changed to GOES-19, and a six month Post-Launch Testing (PLT) checkout phase began. The planning for GOES-U PLT was created using lessons learned from the PLT phases of GOES-16 through GOES-18, as well as advances and maturity of the ground processing algorithms, and operational needs for NOAA. GOES-19 features the addition of the Compact Coronagraph (CCOR) instrument to the Sun Pointing Platform alongside the continuity instruments SUVI and EXIS. CCOR has its own set of post-launch tests and product generation at the Space Weather Prediction Center, uniquely outside of the GOES-R ground segment. For the existing GOES-R series product portfolio, Beta and Provisional Validation maturity milestones continue on schedule, building off the success of achieving these milestones for all Level 1b products within 6 months for GOES-18. GOES-19 is headed for Operations to replace GOES-16 as GOES-East. The operational designation of GOES-19 is expected by April 2025. This talk will review PLT highlights, new or impactful instrument- and product-level tests, product maturity milestones, data distribution and availability, and GOES-19 readiness for Operations.