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Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
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<p>The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), operated by the United States' <a href="/facts/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration/IvcuqNJg">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA)'s <a href="/facts/National_Environmental_Satellite%2c_Data%2c_and_Information_Service/CJ4SRrGg">National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service</a> division, supports <a href="/facts/Weather_forecasting/nzqyMFCa">weather forecasting</a>, severe storm tracking, and <a href="/facts/Meteorology/xblFr28q">meteorology</a> research. Spacecraft and ground-based elements of the system work together to provide a continuous stream of environmental data. The <a href="/facts/National_Weather_Service/gcWCQRzr">National Weather Service</a> (NWS) and the <a href="/facts/Meteorological_Service_of_Canada/AzALkn5W">Meteorological Service of Canada</a> use the GOES system for their North American weather monitoring and forecasting operations, and scientific researchers use the data to better understand land, atmosphere, ocean, and climate dynamics. </p><p>The GOES system uses <a href="/facts/Geosynchronous_equatorial_satellite/VBq1v5Kr">geosynchronous equatorial satellites</a> that, since the launch of <a href="/facts/SMS-1/wTMxLC1B">SMS-1</a> in 1974, have been a basic element of U.S. weather monitoring and forecasting. </p><p>The procurement, design, and manufacture of GOES satellites is overseen by <a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a>. </p><p>NOAA is the official provider of both GOES terrestrial data and GOES space weather data. Data can also be accessed using the <a href="/facts/SPEDAS/FS5lV7Cm">SPEDAS</a> software. </p>