GOES Satellite Data - Block 11 (GVAR_B11) - GVAR is the data transmission format used to broadcast environmental data measured by the independent GOES Imager and Sounder instruments. The Block 11 data files contain ancillary instrument data and metadata that may be useful to expert users. All sounder data will be included in Block 11, but not all Block 11's will contain sounder data. As the GVAR data are received by NOAA, the sounder blocks are stripped out and converted into McIDAS AREA format for final archive.

The Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) Instrument Engineering Telemetry Data file contains data used to monitor and evaluate the health and performance of the sensor suite. This data is transmitted to the ground in raw digital counts, and subsequently converted into physical units by the ground system. All the data pertains to the temperature of components in the sensor suite. Primarily, this includes temperatures for the telescopes and other sensing components. The SEISS Calibration Data file contains data used to support the generation of EHIS, MPS-LO, MPS-HI, and SGPS Level 1b products, and monitor and evaluate the health and performance of the sensor suite. This file contains derived level 1b calibration parameters including raw sensor count rates, valid raw sensor count data percentages, and dead-time and contamination correction factors needed for the production of all the SEISS products.

The Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) Instrument Engineering Telemetry Data file contains data used to monitor and evaluate the health and performance of the sensor suite. This data is transmitted to the ground in raw digital counts, and subsequently converted into physical units by the ground system. All the data pertains to the temperature of components in the sensor suite. Primarily, this includes temperatures for the telescopes and other sensing components. The SEISS Calibration Data file contains data used to support the generation of EHIS, MPS-LO, MPS-HI, and SGPS Level 1b products, and monitor and evaluate the health and performance of the sensor suite. This file contains derived level 1b calibration parameters including raw sensor count rates, valid raw sensor count data percentages, and dead-time and contamination correction factors needed for the production of all the SEISS products.

The Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) Instrument Engineering Telemetry Data file contains data used to support the generation of SUVI Level 1b products, and monitor and evaluate the health and performance of the instrument. This data is transmitted to the ground in raw digital counts, and subsequently converted into physical units by the ground system. Most of the data pertains to the temperature of components in the instrument. This includes temperatures for the guide telescope, door mechanism, supporting structure, shutter, aperture, filter wheels, mirrors, electronics, and CCD. CCD bias voltages are also included. The SUVI Dark Frame Data file contains an image produced by the SUVI with the camera’s shutter closed. A dark frame measures the inherent bias and noise in the camera electronics, and is used to identify, track, and monitor permanently bad pixels. Dark frames are collected in the operational imaging epoch of the SUVI, and support the radiometric correction of the solar imagery products. Up to ten dark frames are used to support of radiometrically correcting individual solar images. The SUVI Miscellaneous Frame Data file contains a special image produced by the SUVI to support several calibration related activities. Specific types of images include glass, flat-field, and light transfer curve.

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R), the latest generation of geostationary weather satellites, significantly improves the detection and observation of environmental phenomena, resulting in improved public safety, more accurate forecasts, better protection of property, and greater assurance on our nation's economic health and prosperity. The satellites provide advanced imaging with increased spatial resolution and faster coverage for more accurate forecasts, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather. The GOES-R Series is a four-satellite program (GOES-R/S/T/U) that will extend the availability of the operational GOES satellite system through 2036.

This data collection consists of archived Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) Series Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) Level 0 data from the GOES-East and GOES-West satellites in the operational (OPS) and the post-launch test (PLT) phases. The GOES-R Series provides continuity of the GOES mission through 2035 and improvements in geostationary satellite observational data. GOES-16, the first GOES-R satellite, began operating as GOES-East on December 18, 2017. GOES-17 began operating as GOES-West on February 12, 2019. GOES-T launched on March 1, 2022, and was renamed to GOES-18 on March 14, 2022. GOES-U, the final satellite in the series, is scheduled to launch in 2024. ABI is a multi-channel passive imaging radiometer observing the Western Hemisphere. The ABI Level 0 data are composed of Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) packets containing the science, housekeeping, engineering, and diagnostic telemetry data downlinked from the instrument. The Level 0 data files also contain orbit and attitude/angular rate packets generated by the GOES spacecraft. Each CCSDS packet contains a unique Application Process Identifier (APID) in the primary header that identifies the specific type of packet, and is used to support interpretation of its contents. Users may refer to the GOES-R Series Product Definition and Users’ Guide (PUG) Volume 1 (Main) and Volume 2 (Level 0 Products) for Level 0 data documentation. Related instrument calibration data and Level 1b processing information are archived and available for order at the NOAA CLASS website. The ABI Level 0 data files are delivered in a netCDF-4 file format, however, the constituent CCSDS packets are stored in a byte array making the data opaque for standard netCDF reader applications. The ABI Level 0 data files are packaged in hourly tar files (data bundles) by satellite for the archive. Recently ingested archive tar files are available for 14 days on an anonymous FTP server for users to download. Data archived on offline tape may be requested from NCEI.