
GOES-17 Post-Launch Testing and Transition to Operations
Transition to Operations
June 27, 2019
GOES-17 began drifting from its current location of 89.5 degrees west longitude to its GOES West operational location of 137.2 degrees west longitude on October 24, 2018. The satellite completed drift on November 13, 2018, and arrived at its final operational location of 137.2 degrees west. The change from 137.0 to 137.2 has been made for operational efficiency and to minimize impacts from other geostationary satellites.
Following two days of calibration activity, all instruments resumed data distribution on November 15, 2018. After undergoing additional testing and calibration at 137.2 degrees west longitude, GOES-17 transitioned to operations as NOAA’s GOES West satellite on February 12, 2019.
GOES-15 moved from its operational location of 137 degrees west longitude to 128 degrees west to eliminate radio frequency interference with GOES-17. GOES-15 (at 128 west) and GOES-17 (at 137.2 west) will operate in tandem through December 2019 to allow for assessment of the performance of GOES-17 as the GOES West operational satellite.
Learn more about the GOES-17 cooling system issue and effects on imagery.
GOES West Transition Plan for Operationalization of GOES-17
Details as of January 31, 2019
Please Note: The following dates are subject to change based on operational needs.
COLOR KEY: | GOES West Operational Satellite |
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GOES-15 | GOES-17 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Date | Location | Activity | Location | Activity |
10/17/18 | 135°W (no change) |
GVAR relay through GOES-14 begins |
89.5°W (no change) | No change |
10/24/18 | 135°W (no change) |
No Change |
Drift start at 2.5°/day moving westward |
|
10/29/18 | Drift start at 0.88°/day moving eastward |
All Instruments and Services remain on with nominal GVAR and LRIT distribution |
Still Drifting | No Change |
11/7/18 | Drift stop at 128°W |
No change |
Still Drifting |
No Change |
11/13/18 | 128°W (no change) |
GVAR relay through GOES-14 ends, GOES-15 GVAR direct broadcast continues |
Drift stop at 137.2°W |
|
11/15/18 | 128°W (no change) |
Disable DCPR transponder |
137.2°W (no change) |
|
February 12, 2019 – December 31, 2019 | 128°W (no change) |
|
137.2°W (no change) |
Simultaneous GOES-West (GOES-17) and GOES-15 operations |
Notes:
- GOES-14 EMWIN and MDL (No SXI or XRS/EUV) remain enabled throughout entire time period.
- No planned maneuvers/special operations during the Veterans Day and Thanksgiving federal holidays.
- No GOES West transition/interruption during Critical Weather Days.