May 23, 1995

Allen Kenitzer
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Md.  20771
(phone:  301/286-8955)


GOES-J UPDATE #1
Tuesday, May 23, 1995
8:00 a.m. EDT

     The second in a series of the most sophisticated weather
satellites ever built, soared into space this morning during a
picture-perfect launch from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla.  The 
second Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-J,
lifted off at 1:52 a.m. EDT on an Atlas-Centaur rocket. 
Twenty-nine minutes later, the spacecraft separated from the 
Centaur stage and at approximately 3:10 a.m. successfully performed
a deployment of  the outer panel of the solar array, becoming power
positive.  Throughout the next 17 days, controllers are scheduled
to perform several apogee motor firings and adjusting maneuvers, 
culminating with the satellite arriving in a geosynchronous orbit
22,340 miles (35,788 km) above the EarthÕs equator.

     Were very pleased with the launch and the spacecraft orbit
looks good, said Marty Davis, GOES project manager at NASAÕs
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.  So far, this is
textbook mission, with everything going according to plan.

     The first of several burns to move the satellite into its
final orbit will begin late Wednesday night, when controllers
perform the first apogee motor firing, lasting for 55 minutes.  
The second firing is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, May 27, and
will last for 31 minutes.

     GOES-J was built for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration under technical guidance and project management by
the Goddard Space Flight Center. 

     Information will be updated on the Goddard Audio News Service,
(301) 286-NEWS, as it becomes available.  For additional
information, call the Goddard Newsroom at (301) 286-8955, 
or NOAA/NESDIS Public Affairs at (301) 457-5005.