Ernie J. Shannon                                   May 25, 1995
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Md 20771
(Phone: 301/286-8955)



GOES-J UPDATE #2
Thursday, May 25, 1995
8:00 a.m. EDT

     The first of several burns to move the Geostationary
Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-J into its nominal orbit
occurred last evening at approximately 9:45 p.m. EDT. This first
apogee burn was 55 minutes in duration. 

     According to GOES-J Deputy Project Manager Phil Sabelhaus,
ÒOur first apogee motor burn was quite successful. All the
temperatures were under the limits and we are very pleased at this
point in the mission. The second apogee motor burn is scheduled for
Saturday afternoon.

     Apogee is the point at which a satellite is farthest from the
Earth and at its minimum velocity. Apogee burns are designed to
boost GOES-J from its transfer orbit to geosynchronous orbit 22,340
miles (33,788 km) above the EarthÕs equator. This second in a
series of most sophisticated weather satellites ever built, was
launched into space Tuesday morning from the Cape Canaveral Air
Station in Florida.
     
     Information will be updated on the Goddard Audio News Service,
(301)286-NEWS, as it becomes available.

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