Satellites

GOES-8 through GOES-11 (9 is operational at ~155°E; 10 is operational at ~135°W; 11 is in storage)

Orbit Type

Geostationary

Instrument

Imager

Resolution

see table below

Band

Central
Wavelength
(µm)

Resolution
(km)

Primary Uses

1

0.65

1

Visible cloud and surface features

2

3.9

4

Infrared low-level cloud/fog, fire detection

3

6.8

8

Infrared mid-level water vapor

4

10.7

4

Infrared surface/cloud-top temperature

5

12.0

4

Infrared surface/cloud temperature, low-level water vapor

Satellites

GOES-12 through GOES-13 (12 is operational at ~75°W; 13 is scheduled for launch June 2005)

Orbit Type

Geostationary

Instrument

Imager

Resolution

see table below

1

0.65

1

Visible cloud and surface features

2

3.9

4

Infrared low-level cloud/fog, fire detection

3

6.5

4

Infrared mid-level water vapor

4

10.7

4

Infrared surface/cloud-top temperature

6

13.3

8

Infrared CO₂; cloud heights