Satellite Operations Updates - Total Operational Weather Readiness - Satellites (TOWR-S)

Loop Heat Pipe Anomaly Impacts on GOES-17 ABI Bands 8, 10, 12 & 16

October 9, 2020

3 minute read

Background

Users of satellite imagery from GOES-17 ABI Band 8 (Upper-level Water Vapor IR), Band 10 (Lower-level Water Vapor IR), Band 12 (Ozone IR), and Band 16 (Carbon Dioxide IR) will begin to notice degradation of the imagery over the next few days as a result of the seasonal loop heat pipe anomaly. In each of the figures below, a yellow cell with a "1" indicates estimated minimal to moderate degradation in the imagery for a given hour on a given day. Similarly, a red cell with a "2" indicates estimated severe degradation to the point that the imagery becomes unusable. The hour of day is at the top along the horizontal axis in UTC. The date is to the left along the vertical axis in ascending order. The TOWR-S team will provide additional updates with information on anticipated impacts as the imagery from the other infrared (IR) bands begin to degrade next week.

Band 12 Impacts

The table below includes the GOES-17 data products that will be impacted by the degradation of Band 12. A quick guide for each data product is linked in the right column.

Figure 1:  Anticipated impacts for Band 12 from October 9 - November 25

Band 16 Impacts

The table below includes the GOES-17 data products that will be impacted by the degradation of Band 16. A quick guide for each data product is linked in the right column.

Figure 2:  Anticipated impacts for Band 16 from October 9 - November 25

Band 10 Impacts

The table below includes the GOES-17 data products that will be impacted by the degradation of Band 10. A quick guide for each data product is linked in the right column.

Figure 3:  Anticipated impacts for Band 10 from October 9 - November 25

Band 8 Impacts

The table below includes the GOES-17 data products that will be impacted by the degradation of Band 8. A quick guide for each data product is linked in the right column.

Figure 4:  Anticipated impacts for Band 8 from October 9 - November 25

More Information on the Fall Season Loop Heat Pipe Anomaly

For additional information regarding this seasonal loop heat pipe anomaly event, including the upcoming GOES-17 Mode 3 cooling timeline operations, refer to the article linked here.