Major features of the current GOES series include:
- EARTH-ORIENTED SPACECRAFT - providing efficient duty cycles for imaging and sounding, yielding both high spatial resolution and high signal-to-noise ratios.
- MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING CAPABILITY - a 5-channel, high-resolution imager allows for the development of a number of advanced products.
- SOUNDING CAPABILITY - provides hourly, 19-channel operational soundings from geostationary altitude.
- GROUND DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM - provides efficient dissemination of data and products to users.
- DATA TRANSMISSION FORMATS FOR DIRECT BROADCAST USERS - allows users access to the entire data set at reasonable costs, with potential for growth over time.
GOES' Imager Channel Characteristics
| Channel | Central Wavelength | Sample Sub-pt. Res. |
| # | µm (micrometers) | km E/W x N/S |
| 1 | 00.65 | 0.57 x 1.00 |
| 2 | 03.90 | 2.30 x 4.00 |
| 3 | 06.70 | 2.30 x 8.00 |
| 4 | 10.70 | 2.30 x 4.00 |
| 5 | 12.00 | 2.30 x 4.00 |
