GOES 17

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GOES 17 is classified as:

NORAD ID: 43226

Int'l Code: 2018-022A

Perigee: 35,780.0 km

Apogee: 35,807.5 km

Inclination: 0.5 °

Period: 1,436.1 minutes

Semi major axis: 42164 km

RCS: Unknown

Launch date: March 1, 2018
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: AIR FORCE EASTERN TEST RANGE (AFETR)

GOES-17 is a geostationary weather satellite designed to improve the forecasts of weather, ocean, and environment by providing faster and more detailed data, real-time images of lightning, and advanced monitoring of solar activities and space weather. GOES-17 can collect three times more data at four times image resolution, and scan the planet five times faster than previous probes. The satellite has the same instruments and capabilities as GOES-16 (currently serving as GOES-East), and will complement its work by scanning a different area of the world. GOES-17 will become GOES-West when it moves to 137 degrees west longitude and cover the west coast of the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, and much of the Pacific Ocean. These two satellites are expected to monitor most of the Western Hemisphere and detect natural phenomena and hazards in almost real time.