BackForward Satellite Programme: Synchronous Meteorological Satellite 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Series of two satellites preparing the follow-on operational GOES series.
  • Operational follow-on of the ATS technology demonstration series.  Major improvements: improved VIS/IR imagery, data collection, space weather instrumentation.
  • USA programme: NASA responsible of development of the space segment, NOAA of operations.
  • The satellites are spinning-stabilised.
  • The design lifetime is 3 years.
  • Two GEO positions, West and East of the USA region.
  • See detaled description at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/SpacecraftQuery.jsp.
Data circulation
  • Real-time acquisition and near-real-time dissemination by NOAA.
Agencies NASA , NOAA
Programme lifetime 1974 - 1982
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned