Weather satellite successfully launched

Abstract

The first Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), one of a series of five advanced weather satellites, was launched on April 13 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.Named GOES 8 since achieving orbit, the satellite will provide more precise and timely weather observation and atmospheric measurement data. Its three‐axis stabilized design allows the satellite sensors to continuously stare at Earth for 24‐hour observation. Current spin‐stabilized satellites view the Earth only 5% of the time.