On October 31, 1994 at 5:30 p.m. the first Russian Geostationary Operational Meteorological Satellite (GOMS), was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome by a Proton launch vehicle.  
This launch is part of the Federal Service's development programme for the space-based meteorological observing system.  
An hour and a half after the lift-off of the Proton rocket, the satellite was placed in an interim orbit at an altitude of 200 km.  
A special booster then lifted it to a geostationary orbit 36,000 km above the earth.  
After orbit maneuvres on 1 November, the satellite was moved to a satellite sub point of 76-degree east longitude. 
Telemetric tests of onboard housekeeping and information systems were carried out showing normal performance. 
At present, the GOMS attitude control system is being tested using onboard computers.

The satellite has three sets of equipment:

(1)  On-board television equipment to make visual and infrared observations of:

(a)          Development and movement of cloud formations;<br>
(b)          Sea-surface temperatures;<br>
(c)          Cloud top heights;<br>
(d)          Cloud motion winds at low, middle and upper levels of the atmosphere.

(2)  A radiation and magnetism sensor system for measuring heliographic parameters.

(3)  Radio equipment to handle the transmission of satellite data to earth and the collection and retransmission of data from surface observing platforms, as well as the dissemination of satellite data over a network of independent information reception points.  In addition, the radio equipment is used to exchange data between regional meteorological centres (a feature that distinguishes Russian satellites from those of other countries).

GOMS is expected to become operational after completion of all tests (approximately three months after launch).  Satellite data in WEFAX format will be available to all users located within GOMS's radio visibility on a frequency of 1691.0 Mhz.