https://cdn.emc-directory.com/news/1695281217459_638308780210830903.png712370

GOES-U, the fourth and final satellite in NOAA’s GOES-R Series of advanced geostationary satellites, recently completed rigorous testing to ensure it can withstand the harsh conditions of launch and orbiting in space 22,236 miles above Earth. The tests spanned nearly a year and were successfully completed in 2023.

GOES-U completed Electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing in August 2023 which concluded the environmental testing program. EMI/EMC testing ensures that spacecraft functions are not affected by various types of electromagnetic radiation during operations.

The mission operations team is performing end-to-end tests that command the satellite from the ground system in Maryland. The end-to-end tests validate the compatibility of space and ground hardware, software, and communications interfaces in a mission operations context. Most recently, the team conducted testing to verify commands with the new Compact Coronagraph-1 (CCOR-1) instrument. CCOR-1 is a new space weather instrument that will fly on GOES-U and image the solar corona (the outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere) to detect and characterize coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CCOR-1 is part of NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On mission.

GOES-U is on track for an April 2024 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida onboard a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. The satellite will be renamed GOES-19 once it reaches geostationary orbit, approximately two weeks after launch. GOES-19 will then undergo an on-orbit checkout of its instruments and systems, followed by validation of the satellite’s data products.

Click here to learn more about NOAA's GOES-R Series of advanced geostationary satellites.