NOAA Science Tests are a critical step in checking out the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite). The Science Test period follows the NASA-led engineering check-out period, noted at Post Launch Testing. Results from testing the last two GOES, GOES-14 and GOES-15, will be presented. These are the final spacecraft in the latest series of NOAA geostationary satellites. The GOES-14 Science Test started on 30 November 2009 and ended five weeks later on 4 January 2010. The GOES-15 Science Test started on 11 August 2010 and ended six weeks later on 22 September 2010.

The Science Test involved a large number of scientists and information technology support from NASA, various NOAA groups, and its Cooperative Institutes. Results for both satellites were gathered into respective NOAA Technical Reports, which are made public, along with several reports on previous GOES Science Tests. The analyses which were conducted included, but were not limited to: imagery from the Imager and Sounder, image quality analysis (signal-to-noise ratio, etc.), product quality analysis (product examples and comparisons to similar products from other satellites), radiometric calibration accuracy analysis, and special rapid-scan imagery.

After the NOAA Science Test, GOES are typically placed into orbital storage mode, waiting to replace older GOES upon their retirement. With this being the end of the current GOES-N/P spacecraft, the next GOES satellite to be launched will be the first of the GOES-R series.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and findings contained in this article are those of the authors and should not be construed as an official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or U.S. Government position, policy, or decision.