BackForward Satellite Programme: Geostationary Extended Observations 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Follow-on programme for NOAA geostationary operational meteorological satellites (GOES) in geostationary orbit to start operating in early 2030s for 25 years.
  • Main developments: Improved imager (day/night band) and lightning mapper. Addition of  hyperspectral IR sounder, ocean colour and atmospheric composition instruments depending on whether GOES East, West or Central longitudes.  
  • Programme managed by NOAA supported by NASA.
  • The platforms are actively stabilised over 3 axes.
  • Three operational satellites planned in foinal configuration: Geo-East Geo-West and Geo-Central with funding for 2 satellites at each location (6 in total).
  • Geo-East and Geo-West will have an imager, lightning mapper, and ocean color instrument.
  • Geo-Central will carry a sounder and atmospheric composition instrument. 
  • See description here
  • More details to be added as programme develops
Data circulation

Data will be available from NOAA's real time data access sites. See here for plans.
Agencies NOAA , NASA
Programme lifetime 2032 - 2050
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned