GOES-15 starts journey to replace GOES-11

GOES-15 has started its journey from storage to 135 degrees West.  NWS HQ has confirmed that the satellite is transmitting the new EMWIN signal.  Here is a schedule of events:

Transition Timeline:

• August 22, 2011. GOES-15 began executing GOES-West frames (no Rapid (RSO), Super Rapid (SRSO) and the Full Disk (FD) frames) to accommodate advanced user testing of GOES-15 data.
• September 1, 2011 through October 15, 2011 is the GOES-15 Fall eclipse season for 2011.
• October 18, 2011 at 0321 UTC. GOES-15 will begin a westward drift from 89.5 degrees West to 135 degrees West at a rate ~ 0.78 degrees/day.
• December 1, 2011. A GOES-15 drift rate adjustment maneuver will be performed.
• December 6, 2011. As GOES-15 approaches 129 degrees West, the GOES-15 transition to GOES-West will occur. GOES-15 data will flow through GOES-11 communication links, thus, GOES-15 data becomes operational but is received through the GOES-11 downlink. In other words, the GOES-15 GVAR data are relayed through GOES-11. Users pointing to GOES-11 will start receiving GOES-15 data. Ancillary communication services (DCS/LRIT/EMWIN/SAR) will remain on GOES-11. Users do not re-point antennae. At this point GOES-15 data are considered operational, but should significant problems occur, GOES-11 data can be reestablished quickly.
• December 14, 2011. A GOES-15 stop maneuver will be performed. The GOES-11 signal is turned off and GOES-15 data are acquired directly from GOES-15. GOES-15 GVAR data will be relayed through GOES-15. Ancillary communication services (DCS/LRIT/EMWIN/SAR) will switch from GOES-11 to GOES-15.
• December 15, 2011. Pending successful arrival of GOES-15 at 135 degrees West, GOES-11 will perform de-orbit maneuvers, and GOES-11 will be decommissioned.