The Hyperspectral Environmental Suite/Sensor (HES) will operate from a geostationary perspective aboard the GOES-R satellite, scheduled for launch in 2016. The HES sensor will have thousands of channels or spectral bands with small spectral widths. The sensor will have the ability to measure atmospheric variables in greater spatial, spectral and temporal scales as well as the ability to measure vertical temperature and moisture profiles with increased detail.

The HES sensor will provide accurate, extensive, and timely data. The hyperspectral data acquired will measure vertical moisture and temperature profiles and soundings in three and four dimensions as never seen before. The benefits of hyperspectral data will be wide-range and varied and will aid in forecasting numerous events that impact the atmosphere such as toxic emissions, harmful algal blooms, severe weather, rock and soil classification, wild fires, material identification etc.

Data from the HES sensor, streamed to ground systems, will be accessible to end users via web portals. The end user will then be able to select from a variety of available products, analyze those products and make informed, accurate, and timely decisions to aid in emergency management and disaster mitigation. The efforts of this paper are focused to the needs of the end user and societal benefits of hyperspectral data.