GOES-O STATUS
last update 30 June 2009

Launch

GOES-O launch
The GOES-O satellite lifted off from Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 6:51 p.m EDT on 27 June 2009, atop a Delta IV rocket.

GOES-O was launched on a Delta IV with two solids to nearly direct injection to geo-orbit. The use of the main rocket to get to orbit will save fuel on the spacecraft, and achieve at least 10 years of fuel lifetime (5 years of on orbit storage, and 5 years of operations).

If GOES-O were stored on the earth, it would have to be to be called out of storage to replace an on-orbit failure. There would be 9 to 12 months of preparation between call-up and launch, followed by 3 months of post-launch deployment and testing before it could become operational. On-orbit storage reduces this delay to less than a week, and avoids the chance of a launch failure when you can least afford it.

Pre-launch Information

Spacecraft

In the spring of 2004, the GOES-O spacecraft was under construction, and went through thermal-vac testing in the spring of 2005. In mid-2005, it was placed in pre-launch storage at Boeing Space Systems (BSS).

As of March 2006, the GOES-O launch date was planned for 7 July 2007.

As of January 2009, the GOES-O launch date was planned for 28 April 2009.

When a fuel leak was discovered in early April, the launch date was moved to 12 May 2009.

In late April, when Range Safety became concerned about the self-destruct mechanism on the launch vehicle, the launch was postponed to no earlier than 26 June 2009

Imager

Imager SN09 was constructed and tested at ITT in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the late 1990's. It was delivered to Boeing Space Systems (BSS) and integrated onto GOES-O in 2003/4. There are no significant issues with the Imager.

Sounder

Sounder SN09 was constructed and tested at ITT in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the late 1990's. It was delivered to Boeing Space Systems (BSS) and integrated onto GOES-O in 2003/4. There are no significant issues with the Sounder.

Images

NASA-GSFC Press Releases

Orbit Raising History

GOES-O Separates from Second Stage to Begin Mission
Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:26:13 PM EDT
The GOES-O weather satellite is on its own following a successful separation from the Delta IV second stage. The separation occurred soon after the second stage performed the final of three burns to place the GOES-O spacecraft in a transfer orbit that will eventually reach about 22,300 miles above Earth. The satellite will be checked out through a series of tests in coming weeks.

GOES-O is scheduled to be placed into its final orbit and renamed GOES-14 on July 7. GOES-14 will then undergo a series of tests by Boeing and NASA for approximately six months before completing its Òcheck-outÓ phase and turned over to NOAA. After check out, GOES-14 will be placed into orbital storage mode, ready to be activated. 

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES:

TBD
GOES Project Science and Images