The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program is a joint effort of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and is intended to provide continuous monitoring of western hemisphere weather conditions. Governed by a NASA-Department of Commerce agreement, dated July 2,1973, NOAA is responsible for establishing the observational requirements and operating the system. NASA is responsible, on a reimbursable basis, for developing and launching the spacecraft and for conducting an early orbit check-out before handover of the satellites to NOAA for operational use. The pilot Synchronous Meteorological Satellite (SMS) program placed three spacecraft in orbit: two prototype spacecraft designated SMS-A and SMSB and one operational spacecraft designated GOES-A. (The GOES satellites are identified by letters prior to launch, and are assigned a sequential number upon achieving orbit.) GOES-A was successfully launched on October 16,197s and was redesignated GOES-I. Subsequently, GOES-B was successfully launched on June 16,1977; GOES-C on June 16,1978; GOES-D on September 9,1980; GOES-E on May 22,1981; and GOES-F on April 28,1983. GOES-G which was launched on May 3,1986, failed to achieve orbit because of a launch vehicle failure. GOES-H was successfully launched on February 26,1987, and was redesignated GOES-7. GOES-I (8) was launched on April 13, 1994 and declared operational in December. GOES-J(9) was launched on May 23, 1995, replacing GOES-7. Currently, GOES-8 and GOES-9 are providing operational imagery and atmospheric sounding data. Nominally, a two-satellite configuration is maintained. When successfully in orbit, GOES-K (to be redesignated as GOES 10) will be placed in on-orbit storage at 105 degrees West which will allow a quick callup replacement for a failed GOES-8 or -9. Post-storage callup can be accomplished within a maximum of 45 days. GOES-K is the third of a new generation of satellites (GOES-I through -M) which provide significant improvements in capability over previous missions. On-board propellant for inclination control and station-keeping is expected to be adequate to support a nominal 5+ year mission life. GOES-K is scheduled for launch in April, 1997. GOES-M, the next in the series, will be ready to support a launch as early as August, 1999 but, with the remaining satellite in the series, will be launched on an as-needed basis. For planning purposes, five-year replacements are assumed.


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