GOES-17 Postlaunch Testing Summary and Results

After Launch and Orbit Raising (LOR), the second satellite in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GOES-R series, GOES-17, entered its Post-Launch Testing (PLT) phase. The objective of PLT is to validate the capability of the GOES-17 system to perform the GOES mission: evaluate, optimize and deliver to OSPO a satellite that is ready to become a part of the operational GOES constellation, demonstrate that the observatory performs as expected on-orbit, and that continuous, uninterrupted L1b data can be used to provide science products to the user community.

These objectives are achieved through an integrated series of tests and demonstrations performed by the key elements of the system: Observatory, Ground, and Products.

The PLT phase includes the initial instrument outgassing and activation followed by a period of subsystem/instrument performance and operations testing. Activities include subsystems and instruments calibration and trending, subsystems and instruments performance optimization, and Image Navigation and Registration (INR) system startup, performance characterization and operational demonstration.

This talk will highlight results from instrument and product level tests, including special scans and calibrations, and Mode 6 testing. It will also summarize PLT milestones and current product status.