CONTACT: Patricia Viets FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(301) 457-5005 1/27/95
GOES-8, the country's first advanced weather satellite, has begun a journey to its final vantage point over the East Coast of the United States, where it will keep an eye on the Atlantic Ocean and provide data about the atmosphere.
"The advanced satellites provide more precise and timely weather observations and atmospheric measurement data for the United States," said Gary Davis, head of satellite operations for NOAA. "This is an important milestone that meteorologists have awaited for quite some time. The design of these satellites allows their sensors to continuously stare at the Earth for 24- hour observations. Older satellites like GOES-7 view the Earth only five percent of the time."
GOES-8, operated by the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was launched on April 13, 1994. After reaching geostationary orbit at 22,500 miles above the Equator, it was positioned at 90 degrees West longitude, or close to the central part of the United States, for engineering checkout and testing. With the testing completed, the satellite will be moved to 75 degrees West longitude -- overlooking the East Coast of the United States and well into the Atlantic Ocean.
Satellite controllers at NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service began sending commands telling the satellite to move on Jan. 20. It has been moving steadily since then and will arrive at its operating position on Feb. 27.
GOES-7, an older model geostationary satellite, was positioned at 112 degrees West longitude during the checkout of GOES-8. GOES-7 will arrive at its western location of 135 degrees West longitude on Jan. 28. From this vantage point, it will provide coverage of the western United States and the Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean.
GOES-7, launched in 1978, will be replaced by a second updated model planned for launch in May 1995. The next three satellites in the advanced GOES series will be launched as required to support NOAA's dual-satellite geostationary observing system.
The new satellites are built by Space Systems/Loral through a contract administered through NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA's Lewis Research Center is responsible for launch services, provided on an Atlas rocket, under contract with Martin Marietta. The satellites are operated by NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service.