On Wednesday May 22, the weather satellite, GOES 13 that normally keeps watch over the eastern United States failed.
GOES stands for Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite. This is a satellite about 23,000 miles out in space. It orbits the earth at precisely the same speed the earth rotates. This allows the satellite to stay fixed over its area of responsibility.
GOES stands for Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite. This is a satellite about 23,000 miles out in space. It orbits the earth at precisely the same speed the earth rotates. This allows the satellite to stay fixed over its area of responsibility.
GOES 13 is an important weather satellite. It plays a major role in weather analysis and forecasting operations for the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern United States
Another weather satellite, GOES 14 which is hovering over the middle of the U.S. will be maneuvered to the east to replace GOES 13. GOES 14 is the only backup weather satellite left.
More information can be found here
See NOAA’s Satellite Server Page for updates.