GOES-17

GOES-17 is a geostationary weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Lockheed Martin. The satellite is part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series, which provides critical weather forecasting and meteorology data to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. GOES-17 was launched on March 1, 2018, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas V rocket, and it has been operational since May 2018, replacing GOES-15 as the primary weather satellite for the western United States. The satellite's data is used by various organizations, including the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Overview

GOES-17 is designed to provide high-resolution images of the Earth's weather patterns, including clouds, precipitation, and severe weather events, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. The satellite's advanced instruments allow for the detection of lightning strikes, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions, which are critical for disaster response and emergency management. GOES-17 works in conjunction with other weather satellites, including GOES-16, Himawari 8, and Meteosat, to provide a comprehensive view of the Earth's weather patterns. The satellite's data is also used by various international organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Spacecraft Design

The GOES-17 spacecraft was designed and built by Lockheed Martin and is based on the A2100A satellite bus. The satellite has a mass of approximately 5,192 kilograms (11,445 pounds) and is powered by a combination of solar panels and batteries. The spacecraft is equipped with a propulsion system that allows for station-keeping and orbital adjustments. GOES-17 is designed to operate for at least 10 years, with a possible extension of up to 15 years. The satellite's design is similar to that of GOES-16, which was launched in 2016 and is operated by NASA and NOAA. The GOES-17 spacecraft is also equipped with a data processing system that allows for the transmission of data to the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) and other users.

Launch and Orbit

GOES-17 was launched on March 1, 2018, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas V rocket, which was provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The launch was a success, and the satellite reached its geostationary orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the Equator. The satellite's orbit allows it to remain stationary relative to the Earth's surface, providing a constant view of the western United States, Mexico, and Canada. GOES-17 is positioned at a longitude of 137.2° W, which allows it to provide coverage of the eastern Pacific Ocean and the western United States. The satellite's orbit is similar to that of GOES-16, which is positioned at a longitude of 75.2° W.

Instruments and Capabilities

GOES-17 is equipped with a range of advanced instruments, including the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), which provides high-resolution images of the Earth's weather patterns. The ABI instrument is capable of detecting clouds, precipitation, and severe weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. The satellite is also equipped with a Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instrument, which detects lightning strikes and provides critical data for severe weather forecasting. GOES-17 also carries a Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) instrument, which monitors the space weather environment and provides data on solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The satellite's instruments are similar to those on GOES-16, which includes the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM).

Operational History

GOES-17 became operational on May 2, 2018, and has been providing critical weather forecasting data to the National Weather Service (NWS) and other users. The satellite's data has been used to track various severe weather events, including Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Michael, and the 2018 California wildfires. GOES-17 has also provided critical data for disaster response and emergency management efforts, including the 2018 Hawaii volcano eruption and the 2019 Midwest floods. The satellite's operational history is similar to that of GOES-16, which has been operational since December 2017. GOES-17 works in conjunction with other weather satellites, including Himawari 8 and Meteosat, to provide a comprehensive view of the Earth's weather patterns. The satellite's data is also used by various international organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Category:Weather satellites