GOES

Operated by NOAA

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites are NOAA's weather-watching spacecraft. From fixed positions over the Americas they provide the continuous imagery used in daily forecasting and storm tracking.

GOES accounts for 24 cataloged objects, of which 24 are in orbit and 3 are active. The first launched in 1975, the most recent in 2024. The busiest year was 1975, with 2 added. Most fly near a 16-degree inclination with an orbital period around 1436 minutes.

In orbit

Active

Total launched

Reentered

GOES launched per year

Still in orbit Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged GOES satellites.

Manufacturer	LOR
Purpose	Meteorology
Launch mass	2105 kg
Dry mass	977 kg
Length	6.1 m
Diameter	2.5 m
Span	26.9 m
Shape	Cyl
Power	Deployable solar array, batteries
Propulsion	Star 27
Design life	15 years (10 operational, after 5 years on-orbit spare)
Equipment	?
Typical orbit	1436 min period, 16° inclination

Spacecraft buses

The platforms GOES satellites are built on.

Bus	Satellites
FS-1300	5
HS-371	4
A2100	4
SMS	3
HS-601	1

Launched on

Delta 3914 6 Delta 2914 6 Atlas V 541 3 Atlas I 3 Delta 3924 2 Atlas IIA 2 Falcon Heavy 1 Delta 4M+(4,2) 1

GOES satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name	NORAD	COSPAR	Bus	Launched	Orbit	Status	Track
GOES-19 GOES-U	60133	2024-119A	A2100	Jun 25, 2024	1436 min, 0.0°	Active	◉
GOES 18 GOES 18	51850	2022-021A	A2100	Mar 1, 2022	1436 min, 0.0°	Active	◉
GOES 17 GOES 17	43226	2018-022A	A2100	Mar 1, 2018	1436 min, 1.0°	Inactive	◉
GOES 16 GOES 16	41866	2016-071A	A2100	Nov 19, 2016	1436 min, 0.4°	Active	◉
GOES 14 GOES 14	35491	2009-033A	HS-601	Jun 27, 2009	1439 min, 1.8°	Inactive	◉
GOES 12 GOES 12	26871	2001-031A	FS-1300	Jul 23, 2001	1453 min, 12.2°	Inactive	◉
GOES 11 GOES 11	26352	2000-022A	FS-1300	May 3, 2000	1454 min, 11.9°	Inactive	◉
GOES 10 GOES 10	24786	1997-019A	FS-1300	Apr 25, 1997	1453 min, 13.2°	Inactive	◉
GOES 9 GOES 9	23581	1995-025A	FS-1300	May 23, 1995	1458 min, 14.0°	Inactive	◉
GOES 8 GOES 8	23051	1994-022A	FS-1300	Apr 13, 1994	1456 min, 14.5°	Inactive	◉
GOES 7 AKM GOES 7 AKM	28520	1987-022F	Star 27	Feb 26, 1987	1458 min, 10.2°	Inactive	◉
GOES 7 GOES 7	17561	1987-022A	HS-371	Feb 26, 1987	1442 min, 12.9°	Inactive	◉
GOES 6 AKM Star 27 S/N 0035	14069	1983-041C	Star 27	Apr 28, 1983	1707 min, 15.7°	Inactive	◉
GOES 6 GOES 6	14050	1983-041A	HS-371	Apr 28, 1983	1436 min, 10.1°	Inactive	◉
GOES 5 AKM Star 27 S/N 0041	33521	1981-049D	Star 27	May 22, 1981	1750 min, 16.2°	Inactive	◉
GOES 5 GOES 5	12472	1981-049A	HS-371	May 22, 1981	1437 min, 9.3°	Inactive	◉
GOES 4 AKM Star 27 S/N 0020	11970	1980-074C	Star 27	Sep 9, 1980	1766 min, 16.3°	Inactive	◉
GOES 4 GOES 4	11964	1980-074A	HS-371	Sep 9, 1980	1451 min, 7.9°	Inactive	◉
GOES 3 AKM SVM-5	20801	1978-062D	SVM	Jun 16, 1978	1448 min, 6.4°	Inactive	◉
GOES 3 GOES 3	10953	1978-062A	SMS	Jun 16, 1978	1449 min, 6.8°	Inactive	◉
GOES 2 AKM SVM-5	20799	1977-048G	SVM	Jun 16, 1977	1432 min, 4.0°	Inactive	◉
GOES 2 GOES 2	10061	1977-048A	SMS	Jun 16, 1977	1449 min, 6.3°	Inactive	◉
GOES 1 AKM SVM-5	20962	1975-100F	SVM	Oct 16, 1975	1413 min, 2.2°	Inactive	◉
GOES 1 (SMS-C) GOES 1	08366	1975-100A	SMS	Oct 16, 1975	1436 min, 4.5°	Inactive	◉

Frequently asked questions

How many GOES satellites are in orbit?

24 GOES objects are currently in orbit, out of 24 ever cataloged. 0 have reentered.

How many GOES satellites are active?

3 GOES satellites carry an active status in the catalog.

When did the first GOES satellite launch?

The first cataloged GOES object launched in 1975, and the most recent in 2024.

Who operates GOES?

GOES is operated by NOAA.

How can I track GOES satellites?

You can track the GOES fleet live in the KeepTrack 3D tracker, or open any individual satellite from the list on this page.

Related constellations

Starlink Starshield Project Kuiper Iridium Globalstar Orbcomm

← All constellations Satellite catalog