On 16 October 1975, NASA launched GOES-A, the first operational Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, which revolutionised weather forecasting by providing near-real time atmospheric data from a fixed position.
01Summary
- 01GOES-A (later renamed GOES-1) launched on a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- 02It was operated jointly by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- 03The satellite achieved a geostationary orbit over the Indian Ocean, always facing the same part of Earth.
- 04It captured its first image on 25 October 1975 using a Visible/Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR).
- 05GOES-1 remained active until 7 March 1985 and was followed by five more satellites in the series.
02Why it matters
This launch laid the foundation for the modern GOES satellite fleet, which now provides essential, continuous weather monitoring and severe weather warnings across the Western Hemisphere, directly affecting daily forecasts and public safety.
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