Next-generation weather satellites

NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) spacecraft have been delivering reliable weather forecasts for decades. Now, the Lockheed Martin-built GOES-R satellite series provides more timely and accurate weather forecasts than ever before.

The GOES-R series delivers crucial atmospheric, hydrologic, oceanic, climatic, solar, and space data, greatly enhancing the detection and observation of environmental phenomena that impact public safety, property protection, and the nation's economic health.

These four satellites give expert forecasters the imagery and data needed to predict and analyze weather conditions on Earth and in space, helping them making split-second decisions to save lives and property.

GOES-R

Launched Nov. 2016 (now GOES-16)

GOES-S

Launched March 2018 (now GOES-17)

GOES-T

Launched March 2022 (now GOES-18)

GOES-U

Launched June 2024 (soon-to-be GOES-19)

Latest GOES-R News ___

The Lockheed Martin-built GOES-U satellite launches

On June 25, 2024, the final spacecraft in the GOES-R series of satellites was successfully launched toward geostationary orbit onboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Once in space, the satellite will conduct a series of tests and on-orbit checkouts before moving into position as GOES-East, succeeding its predecessor, GOES-16.

Read the News Release

GOES-R Series Benefits ___

Keeps a watchful eye on Earth's ever-changing weather

Improved data gathering for weather forecasting and prediction

Lightning detection and mapping technology

Enhanced Weather and Climate Data

GOES-R satellites provide forecasters in the U.S. and western hemisphere with sharper, more defined images of severe storms, hurricanes, wildfires and other weather hazards.

The series also aims to generate significant benefits to the nation in the areas of climate monitoring, ecosystems management, commerce and transportation.

<6

months, GOES-16 transmitted more data than all previous GOES satellites combined

15

year operational life expectancy

31

MB/s - how fast the GOES-R series can transmit data, an increase from the previous generation's 2.6 MB/s

304

lives saved by GOES-16 & 17 in 2020

477

mile-long lightning flash across the southern U.S., captured by GOES-16 in 2020

Beyond Weather Observation

In addition to severe weather monitoring, GOES-R instruments and data help:

Identify volcanic eruptions, including those under the ocean, like the recent event near Tonga
Measure land and sea surface temperatures to track drought conditions and warming oceans
Provide early alerts to emergency responders for wildfires, including those caused by lightning strikes
Observe solar flares that could impact telecommunication on and around Earth

Connected Technologies ___

Each GOES-R satellite carries a suite of weather forecasting instruments, including two Lockheed Martin-built technologies:

Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM)

As the first operational lightning mapper flown in its orbit, the GLM tracks lightning across the U.S. in real-time, taking hundreds of images every second and mapping both cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. By collecting data on the frequency, location and extent of lightning discharges, GLM allows meteorologists to quickly identify intensifying storms and take appropriate action.

Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI)

The SUVI telescope measures the sun in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range and provides full-disk solar images. SUVI is essential to understanding active areas on the sun and predicting solar events that may disrupt power utilities, communication or navigation systems here on Earth.

In addition to GLM and SUVI, the Magnetometer, Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) and Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) instruments are also aboard the GOES-R series of satellites. GOES-U will premier the Naval Research Laboratory’s Compact Coronagraph-1 (CCOR-1) when it launches in June 2024.

GOES-R Gallery ___

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More GOES-R News ___

Lockheed Martin-Built GOES-U Weather Satellite Successfully

Jun 25, 2024

Press Release

Lockheed Martin-Built GOES-U Weather Satellite Successfully

An advanced weather satellite built by Lockheed Martin for NOAA launched June 25, 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 5:26 pm ET. GOES-U is the final satellite of the GOES-R series which will provide critical weather and climate date into the 2030s.