GOES-R: The Future of NOAA's Geostationary Environmental Satellites

NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) are a mainstay of weather forecasts and environmental monitoring in the United States. The next generation of GOES satellites, known as the GOES-R Series, represents significant advancements in the near real-time observation of severe weather across the Western hemisphere. The GOES-R satellite, the first in the series that includes GOES-R, GOES-S, GOES-T and GOES-U, launched on November 4, 2016 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The GOES-R satellite is now known as GOES-16.

The GOES-R Series' primary instrument, the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), provides 3x more spectral information, with 4x better resolution, 5x times faster than the current GOES, allowing for “nowcasting” of severe storms. GOES-R is flying the first operational lightning mapper in geostationary orbit, the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), which measures total lightning (in-cloud, cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground) activity continuously over the Americas and adjacent ocean regions. Used in combination with radar, satellite data, and surface observations, total lightning data from GLM has great potential to increase lead time for severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings and reduce false alarm rates.

The GOES-R series also hosts a suite of instruments that provide significantly improved detection of approaching space weather hazards. The Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) and Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) will provide improved imaging of the sun and detection of solar eruptions, while the Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) and Magnetometer will more accurately monitor, respectively, energetic particles and the magnetic field variations that are associated with space weather.

This presentation will provide a post-launch status, data release strategy and timeline, activities leading to an operational GOES-R system, developments in user preparedness, and an update on the integration and test status of GOES-S. The GOES-R Series’ new instruments, advanced spacecraft, and ground system will allow for a host of new environmental products and services, while improving most of the products and services that are currently provided. The new observations will contribute to dramatically improved weather, water, and space environmental services in the next decades, enhancing public safety and providing economic benefits to the U.S. and our international partners.