GOES-19, the final satellite in the GOES-R series, has officially commenced operations as GOES East on April 7, 2025. This marks a significant achievement for NOAA, enhancing its capabilities in weather forecasting and space weather event monitoring. GOES-19 replaces GOES-16 as the primary satellite monitoring the eastern United States and Atlantic Ocean region. GOES-16 will transition to backup status.
Equipped with the Compact Coronagraph (CCOR-1), GOES-19 provides up to three days' notice of potential solar storms. This instrument images the solar corona, detecting coronal mass ejections with improved resolution. This allows for better prediction of geomagnetic disturbances that can impact satellites, GPS, and power grids, according to NOAA.
GOES-19 joins GOES-18 in operational service, together covering a significant portion of the globe. These satellites support weather forecasting, emergency management, and various industries through continuous monitoring. The GOES-R series, a collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA, represents a major advancement in environmental observation, ensuring the delivery of critical data into the 2030s.