Image above: As the sun rises, a Boeing
Delta IV rocket stands ready to launch the
GOES-N satellite at Launch Complex 37 at
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Image credit: NASA

GOES Mission
GOES-N is the latest in a series of Earth monitoring satellites. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) provide the kind of continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. Geostationary describes an orbit in which a satellite is always in the same position with respect to the rotating Earth. This allows GOES to hover continuously over one position on the Earth's surface, appearing stationary. As a result, GOES provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms, and hurricanes.

The multimission GOES series N-P is the next series of satellites. This series will be a vital contributor to weather, solar and space operations, and science. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are actively engaged in a cooperative program to expand the existing GOES system with the launch of the GOES N-P satellites.

GOES-N is the first in the new series of spacecraft.

Launch Date:
May 24

Launch Window:
6:11 to 7:11 p.m. EDT

Launch Location:
Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Launch Vehicle:
Boeing Delta IV

Source: NASA - Missions - GOES-N

GOES-N lifted off aboard a Boeing Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. at 6:11 pm EDT. After GOES-N reaches its geosynchronous orbit of approximately 22,300 miles and a successful post-launch checkout is performed, the satellite will be placed in an on-orbit storage mode where it will be able to more rapidly replace a failure of any existing operational GOES.

Source: NASA - Missions - GOES-N

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – The mobile service tower on Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station has been removed from around a Boeing Delta IV rocket as preparations continue to launch the GOES-N satellite. GOES-N is the latest in a series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites for NOAA and NASA. A geostationary orbit is one in which a satellite remains in the same position with respect to the rotating Earth. Thus, the satellite hovers continuously over one position on the Earth's surface, appearing stationary. As a result, GOES provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms, and hurricanes. GOES-N is scheduled for launch May 24 in an hour-long window between 6:11 and 7:11 p.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton



(05/24/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – Amid fire and smoke, the Boeing Delta IV rocket roars into life after ignition to lift the GOES-N satellite on top into space. Liftoff from Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was on time at 6:11 p.m. EDT. GOES-N is the latest in the Earth-monitoring series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites developed by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. By maintaining a stationary orbit, hovering over one position on the Earth's surface, GOES will be able to provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms and hurricanes. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley



(05/24/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – Spewing fire and smoke, the Boeing Delta IV rocket roars off the launch pad to lift the GOES-N satellite on top into space.
Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley



(05/24/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – The GOES-N satellite roars through the thin cloud cover over the Space Coast atop a Boeing Delta IV rocket.
Photo credit: NASA/Debbie Kiger

Source: NASA - Kennedy Multimedia

That is still such a stirring sight...

I've been looking at rocket launches for over 40 years, and there's just something about them that is still such a deep thrill.


I can't wait to see the first images from GOES-N. I probaly look at images from the GOES satellites everyday.

Thanks to these pictuires, I'll be able to say, "Ah , I remember when you went up!" when I see an image from GOES-N...

(05/24/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – The GOES-N satellite roars through the thin cloud cover over the Space Coast atop a Boeing Delta IV rocket. Liftoff from Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was on time at 6:11 p.m. EDT. GOES-N is the latest in the Earth-monitoring series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites developed by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. By maintaining a stationary orbit, hovering over one position on the Earth's surface, GOES will be able to provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric "triggers" for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms and hurricanes.
Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley





(05/24/2006) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. – With flames close behind it, the Boeing Delta IV rocket roars through the thin cloud cover, lifting the GOES-N satellite in to space.
Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley


Source: NASA - Kennedy Multimedia

The Boeing press release is reproduces below:


ST. LOUIS, May 25, 2006 -- A Boeing Delta IV rocket roars off the launch pad to lift the
GOES-N satellite on top into space. Liftoff from Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station was on time at 6:11 p.m. EDT. GOES-N is the latest in the Earth-monitoring
series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites developed by NASA and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


ST. LOUIS, May 25, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today the successful launch of the first of three Boeing-built next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-N) for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Boeing Delta IV rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. yesterday at 6:11 p.m. EDT carrying the GOES-N meteorological satellite. Following a nominal four hour, 21-minute flight, the rocket deployed the spacecraft, and approximately 20 minutes later, controllers received the first signals from the satellite at a ground station in Diego Garcia.

"The successful launch and satellite acquisition of GOES-N represents the culmination of tremendous efforts and great work from our partners, NASA and NOAA," said Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network and Space Systems. "GOES-N will provide continuous real-time weather and environmental data that will aid in severe storm warnings, resource management and emergency search and rescue operations throughout the United States."

The multi-mission GOES series of satellites will provide NOAA and NASA scientists with data to support weather, solar and space operations, and will enable future science improvements with weather prediction and remote sensing. GOES-N also will provide data on global climate changes.

The Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) configuration launch vehicle uses a single Boeing common booster core with a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine, two Alliant Techsystems GEM 60 solid rocket motors, a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10B-2 upper stage engine and a Boeing four-meter diameter upper stage and composite payload fairing.

The GOES-N spacecraft's design is based on the body-stabilized, three axis Boeing 601 satellite. Its primary sensors enable the satellite to "stare" at the Earth to continuously image clouds and monitor surface temperatures. GOES-N will track atmospheric phenomena, ensuring real-time coverage of dynamic events such as severe local storms and tropical hurricanes and cyclones.

Boeing designed and manufactured the 601 model geostationary satellite at its Satellite Development Center (SDC) in El Segundo, Calif. The SDC is the leading manufacturer of government and commercial communications satellites. Encompassing approximately 1 million square feet, the state-of-the-art facility is the largest dedicated satellite factory in the world.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer; a foremost developer of advanced concepts and technologies; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

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Source: Boeing press release

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