GOES-9
type: Concept
definition: GOES 9 was launched on May 23, 1995. GOES-9, which is currently partially operational, is being provided to the Japanese Meteorological Agency to replace their failing geostationary satellite. GOES I-M represents the next generation of meteorological satellites and introduces two new features. The first feature, flexible scan, offers small-scale area imaging that lets meteorologists take pictures of local weather trouble spots. This allows them to improve short-term forecasts over local areas. The second feature, simultaneous and independent imaging and sounding, is designed to allow weather forecasters to use multiple measurements of weather phenomena to increase the accuracy of their forecasts. Each satellite in the series carries two major instruments: an Imager and a Sounder. These instruments acquire high resolution visible and infrared data, as well as temperature and moisture profiles of the atmosphere. They continuously transmit these data to ground terminals where the data are processed for rebroadcast to primary weather services both in the United States and around the world, including the global research community. The GOES I-M mission is scheduled to run from the mid-1990s into the first decade of the 21st century. Each element of the mission has been designed to meet all in-orbit performance requirements for at least five years. The GOES I-M system performs the following basic functions: + Acquisition, processing, and dissemination of imaging and sounding data. + Acquisition and dissemination of Space Environment Monitor (SEM) data. + Reception and relay of data from ground-based Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) that are situated in carefully selected urban and remote areas to the NOAA Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) station. + Continuous relay of Weather Facsimile (WEFAX) and other data to users, independent of all other functions. + Relay of distress signals from people, aircraft, or marine vessels to the search and rescue ground stations of the Se…
in scheme: platforms

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)
type: Concept