# GOES-16

> American geostationary weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5514055](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5514055)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOES-16)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/goes-16

## Summary
GOES-16 is a U.S. geostationary weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to monitor weather, climate, and environmental conditions. Launched in 2016, it is part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series and provides high-resolution imagery and real-time data to improve weather forecasting and public safety. It replaced the EWS-G2 satellite and was succeeded by GOES-17.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 19, 2016, at 23:42:00 UTC.
- **Operator**: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Martin Space.
- **Mass**: 5,192 kg (launch weight) and 2,857 kg (empty weight).
- **Instruments**: Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM).
- **Orbit Position**: Geostationary orbit at 75.2° West longitude.
- **Preceded By**: EWS-G2; **Succeeded By**: GOES-17.
- **Mission Start**: Entered operational service on December 18, 2017.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas V 541 (AV-069), launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

## FAQs
### Q: When was GOES-16 launched?
A: GOES-16 was launched on November 19, 2016, at 23:42:00 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 aboard an Atlas V 541 rocket.

### Q: What instruments does GOES-16 carry?
A: GOES-16 is equipped with the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) for high-resolution weather imaging and the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), the first satellite instrument to detect lightning across the Americas.

### Q: Where is GOES-16 positioned?
A: The satellite operates in a geostationary orbit at 75.2° West longitude, providing continuous monitoring of the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.

## Why It Matters
GOES-16 represents a significant advancement in weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. Its cutting-edge instruments, such as the ABI and GLM, enable more accurate and timely detection of severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. By providing high-resolution imagery and real-time lightning data, GOES-16 enhances public safety, supports economic decision-making, and improves climate research. As the first satellite in the GOES-R series, it set a new standard for geostationary weather satellites, offering four times the resolution of earlier models and faster data transmission. Its operational capabilities have directly contributed to life-saving warnings and more precise weather predictions, underscoring its critical role in national and international meteorological efforts.

## Notable For
- **Advanced Imaging**: The ABI captures 16 spectral bands (compared to 5 in previous GOES satellites) and images the entire Earth disk every 15 minutes.
- **Lightning Detection**: The GLM provides the first-ever real-time, continuous monitoring of lightning activity across the Americas.
- **Operational Longevity**: Designed for a 15-year mission, with fuel reserves extending its operational life.
- **Data Volume**: Transmits 500 times more data than legacy GOES satellites, enabling advanced forecasting models.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
GOES-16 was launched on November 19, 2016, aboard an Atlas V 541 rocket (AV-069) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41. It reached geostationary orbit at 75.2° West longitude and began operational service on December 18, 2017, replacing the EWS-G2 satellite.

### Instrumentation
- **Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI)**: Captures high-resolution visible and infrared imagery, enabling detailed tracking of storms, wildfires, and ocean currents.
- **Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM)**: Detects intracloud and cloud-to-ground lightning, improving severe weather forecasting.

### Operational Role
GOES-16 serves as the primary weather monitoring satellite for the eastern U.S., the Atlantic Ocean, and South America. Its data supports NOAA’s National Weather Service, emergency managers, and researchers by enhancing storm tracking, hurricane intensity prediction, and climate modeling.

### Legacy
The satellite’s success led to the launch of subsequent GOES-R series satellites (e.g., GOES-17, GOES-18), solidifying its role as a foundational asset for modern weather forecasting. Its instrumentation has set international standards for geostationary satellite capabilities.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/goes-r.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.goes-r.gov/spacesegment/spacecraft.html)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.goes-r.gov/users/transitionToOperations16.html)
5. [Source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20170009467/downloads/20170009467.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/dec/HQ_C08067_GOES.html)
7. [Source](https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-s-goes-16-now-at-goes-east-ready-to-improve-forecasts-even-more)