# GOES-6

> American geostationary weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3813708](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3813708)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOES_6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/goes-6

## Summary
GOES-6 was an American geostationary weather satellite launched in 1983 as part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program. It operated in geostationary orbit to monitor weather and climate patterns for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. The satellite was launched aboard a Delta 3000 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

## Key Facts
- Launched on April 28, 1983, at 22:26 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17
- Operated in geostationary orbit with an orbital period of 1435.1 minutes
- Mass of 660 kilograms at takeoff
- Orbital inclination of 14.7 degrees
- Apoapsis of 35,800.6 kilometers and periapsis of 35,759.4 kilometers
- Retired from service on May 19, 1992
- Also known by the designation GOES-F
- Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite program
- Operated by NOAA and NASA
- Manufactured by Boeing Satellite Development Center

## FAQs
### Q: What was GOES-6's primary mission?
A: GOES-6 was designed to monitor weather and climate patterns from geostationary orbit, providing continuous atmospheric data for weather forecasting and meteorological research for NOAA and NASA.

### Q: When was GOES-6 launched and how long did it operate?
A: GOES-6 was launched on April 28, 1983, and operated until its retirement on May 19, 1992, providing nearly nine years of weather monitoring service.

### Q: What type of orbit did GOES-6 use?
A: GOES-6 operated in geostationary orbit, maintaining a fixed position relative to Earth's surface at approximately 35,800 kilometers above the equator.

## Why It Matters
GOES-6 represented a critical advancement in weather monitoring technology during the 1980s, providing continuous atmospheric observations that significantly improved weather forecasting accuracy and severe storm tracking capabilities. As part of the GOES program, it helped establish the foundation for modern meteorological satellite operations, enabling meteorologists to track weather systems in real-time across vast geographic areas. The satellite's data contributed to better understanding of atmospheric dynamics, improved hurricane tracking, and enhanced severe weather warnings that helped protect lives and property. Its successful operation demonstrated the reliability of geostationary weather satellites and paved the way for subsequent generations of GOES satellites that continue to provide essential weather monitoring services today.

## Notable For
- First GOES satellite to use the Delta 3000 launch vehicle
- Operated for nearly nine years, exceeding many early mission expectations
- Provided continuous weather monitoring during a period of significant meteorological research advancement
- Featured improved imaging capabilities compared to previous GOES satellites
- Served as a bridge between early GOES technology and modern weather satellite systems

## Body
### Technical Specifications
GOES-6 was a geostationary weather satellite with a mass of 660 kilograms at launch. It operated in a geostationary orbit with a semi-major axis of 42,151 kilometers, maintaining a fixed position relative to Earth's surface. The satellite had an orbital inclination of 14.7 degrees and completed one orbit every 1435.1 minutes.

### Launch and Operations
The satellite was launched on April 28, 1983, at 22:26 UTC aboard a Delta 3000 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17. It was operated jointly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The satellite was also designated as GOES-F.

### Mission Duration and Retirement
GOES-6 provided weather monitoring services for nearly nine years before being retired on May 19, 1992. During its operational lifetime, it maintained an apoapsis of 35,800.6 kilometers and a periapsis of 35,759.4 kilometers in its geostationary orbit.

### Program Context
As part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program, GOES-6 represented the sixth satellite in this series of weather monitoring spacecraft. The GOES program has been crucial for continuous weather observation and forecasting in the United States since the 1970s.

### Identification and Classification
The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 1983-041A and NSSDCA ID 1983-041A. It is classified as both a weather satellite and a geostationary satellite, reflecting its dual role in atmospheric monitoring and orbital positioning.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013