Feature
Spacecraft and Instruments
Spacecraft and Instruments
GOES-N carries an Imager, a Sounder, and a collection of other space environment monitoring instruments. Both the Imager and the Sounder have a flexible scan control mechanism that allows the instruments to scan small areas as well as all of North and South America and global scenes (called full-disk images). Small area scan selection permits rapid and continuous viewing of local areas for monitoring of regional phenomena and accurate wind determination. The scan control mechanism also allows continuous observations of severe storms and changing, short-lived weather phenomena. Commands from the NOAA Satellite Operations Control Center select the position and size of the area for observation.
The Imager, developed by ITT SSD (ITT Space System Division), in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an imaging radiometer that uses data obtained from its five channels to continuously produce images of the Earth's surface, oceans, severe storm development, cloud cover, cloud temperature and height, surface temperature, and water vapor.
Image above: GOES-N's instruments provide high resolution visible and infrared data, as well as temperature and moisture profiles of the atmosphere. Image Credit: The Boeing Company
The Sounder, also built by ITT Space Systems Division (SSD), provides meteorologists with a detailed description of conditions in the atmosphere at any time. It gathers data over an approximately circular area extending from 60 degrees north to 60 degrees south latitude, allowing meteorologists to deduce atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles, surface and cloud-top temperatures, and ozone distributions by mathematical analysis and by adding to data from the Imager.
The Space Environment Monitor (SEM) consists of three instrument groups: 1) an energetic particle sensor (EPS) package, 2) two magnetometer sensors, and 3) a solar x-ray sensor (XRS). The EPS, developed by Assurance Technology Corporation (ATC), (Formerly GE Panametrics Corp.) in Carlisle, Massachusetts measures the energetic particles at geosynchronous orbit, including protons, electrons, and alpha particles. The magnetometers, provided by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Inc., can operate independently and simultaneously. They measure the magnitude and direction of the Earth's geomagnetic field, detect variations in the magnetic field near the spacecraft, provide alerts of solar wind shocks or sudden impulses that impact the magnetosphere, and assess the level of geomagnetic activity. The XRS is an x-ray telescope that observes and measures solar x-ray emissions in two ranges. In real-time, it measures the intensity and duration of solar flares in order to provide alerts and warnings of potential geophysical responses, such as changes in ionospheric conditions, that can disrupt radio communications and Global Positioning System (GPS) signals.
The SXI, developed by Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center (LMATC), in Palo Alto, California, uses a telescope assembly to observe the sun's x-ray emissions and provide early detection and location of flares. These observations allow space weather forecasters to monitor solar features and activities such as solar flares, loops, coronal holes, and coronal mass ejections-clouds of charged particles shooting toward Earth-from the sun.
Explore the Instruments In Depth
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The Delta IV Launch Vehicle
GOES-N will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta IV Medium Plus (4,2) Space Launch Vehicle.
Image above: This illustration shows components of the Boeing Delta IV Medium Plus (4,2) Space Launch Vehicle.
Credit: The Boeing Company
The Imager, developed by ITT SSD (ITT Space System Division), in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an imaging radiometer that uses data obtained from its five channels to continuously produce images of the Earth's surface, oceans, severe storm development, cloud cover, cloud temperature and height, surface temperature, and water vapor.
Image above: GOES-N's instruments provide high resolution visible and infrared data, as well as temperature and moisture profiles of the atmosphere. Image Credit: The Boeing Company
The Sounder, also built by ITT Space Systems Division (SSD), provides meteorologists with a detailed description of conditions in the atmosphere at any time. It gathers data over an approximately circular area extending from 60 degrees north to 60 degrees south latitude, allowing meteorologists to deduce atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles, surface and cloud-top temperatures, and ozone distributions by mathematical analysis and by adding to data from the Imager.
The Space Environment Monitor (SEM) consists of three instrument groups: 1) an energetic particle sensor (EPS) package, 2) two magnetometer sensors, and 3) a solar x-ray sensor (XRS). The EPS, developed by Assurance Technology Corporation (ATC), (Formerly GE Panametrics Corp.) in Carlisle, Massachusetts measures the energetic particles at geosynchronous orbit, including protons, electrons, and alpha particles. The magnetometers, provided by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Inc., can operate independently and simultaneously. They measure the magnitude and direction of the Earth's geomagnetic field, detect variations in the magnetic field near the spacecraft, provide alerts of solar wind shocks or sudden impulses that impact the magnetosphere, and assess the level of geomagnetic activity. The XRS is an x-ray telescope that observes and measures solar x-ray emissions in two ranges. In real-time, it measures the intensity and duration of solar flares in order to provide alerts and warnings of potential geophysical responses, such as changes in ionospheric conditions, that can disrupt radio communications and Global Positioning System (GPS) signals.
The SXI, developed by Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center (LMATC), in Palo Alto, California, uses a telescope assembly to observe the sun's x-ray emissions and provide early detection and location of flares. These observations allow space weather forecasters to monitor solar features and activities such as solar flares, loops, coronal holes, and coronal mass ejections-clouds of charged particles shooting toward Earth-from the sun.
Explore the Instruments In Depth
+ Read more
The Delta IV Launch Vehicle
GOES-N will be launched aboard a Boeing Delta IV Medium Plus (4,2) Space Launch Vehicle.
Image above: This illustration shows components of the Boeing Delta IV Medium Plus (4,2) Space Launch Vehicle.
Credit: The Boeing Company