GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)-Next Overview.

This report describes, in summary form, the current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GOES system and the scientific rationale used to develop specifications for the next generation of satellites of this series. The payload instruments of the current satellites are reviewed in conjunction with the products prepared from their data outputs. The rationale used by the National Weather Service NWS in developing top-level requirements for GOES-Next stresses the projected use of data within the restructured NWS organization expected in the 1990s. NOAA-certified requirements used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA to develop the Request for Proposal, issued to industry in June 1984, are also provided. Finally, a brief description of the satellite system that will be built for launch in the 1990s is provided. This final section has been abstracted from the winning proposal submitted by Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation and is a glimpse at what the future has in store for GOES. Author