NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite, the final satellite in the agency’s GOES-R Series, officially began operations today as the primary geostationary satellite for the Western Hemisphere. Launched on June 25, 2024, and having completed post-launch testing of its instruments and systems, GOES-19 will replace GOES-16 as the East Coast-based satellite.
GOES-19 is equipped with advanced technology to track hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic ocean basin, severe weather events, atmospheric rivers, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions. It also delivers high-resolution visible and infrared imagery, atmospheric measurements, and real-time mapping of lightning activity.
The satellite features a compact coronagraph instrument (CCOR-1) designed by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center to monitor solar flares and detect coronal mass ejections. This will enable the center to issue warnings one to three days in advance, allowing for better protection of critical technology and infrastructure.
As part of the GOES-R Series Program, which includes four satellites launched between 2016 and 2024, GOES-19 joins its predecessors in providing life-saving data for weather forecasters, emergency managers, and other industries. The satellite’s entry into operational service coincides with the 50th anniversary of the GOES program, marking a significant milestone for NOAA and NASA’s partnership.
With GOES-19 now online, the agency’s geostationary satellite constellation will continue to deliver critical environmental data, supporting NOAA’s mission to understand and predict the changing environment.
Source: https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaas-goes-19-satellite-now-operational-providing-critical-new-data-to-forecasters