GOES Coverage

Geostationary satellites rotate with the earth in a west-to-east direction directly over the equator at an altitude of 35,800 km (22,300 miles). Since the satellite rotates at the same speed and in the same direction as the earth, it always has the same view of the earth’s surface. These satellites are in a higher orbit than polar orbiting satellites; therefore each image covers a much greater area. While GOES records less detail than POES, it captures many images (at least 48) of the same locations every day. The U.S. has two geostationary satellites called Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). Their areas of coverage are highlighted in the graphic.