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 |