SATELLITE SOURCE INDICATOR (SSS)

Three-character abbreviation for the satellite which provided the data from which the OSEI image was created.

If the image is a "preview" image, the satellite source indicator has the letter "L" appended to the end ("G9L", "N5L", etc.).

Satellite
Description
G8
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - 8, commonly called GOES-8 and also referred to as GOES EAST.

For more information about GOES-8 from the NOAA Office of Satellite Operations, click here.

G9
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - 9, commonly called GOES-9 and also referred to as GOES WEST.

GOES-9 is no longer operational.

G10
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - 10, commonly called GOES-10 and also referred to as GOES WEST.

For more information about GOES-10 from the NOAA Office of Satellite Operations, click here.

N2
The polar-orbiting satellite commonly called NOAA-12 and also referred to as the "morning" satellite. Data is received from the satellite's principal sensor, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer.

NOAA-12 is no longer the operational "morning satellite". It has been replaced by NOAA-15.

N4
The polar-orbiting satellite commonly called NOAA-14 and also referred to as the "afternoon" satellite. Data is received from the satellite's principal sensor, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer.

For more information about NOAA-14 from the NOAA Office of Satellite Operations, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page..

N5
The polar-orbiting satellite commonly called NOAA-15 and also referred to as the "morning" satellite. Data is received from the satellite's principal sensor, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer.

For more information about NOAA-15 from the NOAA Office of Satellite Operations, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page..

N6
The polar-orbiting satellite commonly called NOAA-16 and also referred to as the "afternoon" satellite. Data is received from the satellite's principal sensor, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer.

For more information about NOAA-16 from the NOAA Office of Satellite Operations, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page..

MO
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MODIS is the key instrument aboard the Terra (EOS AM-1) satellite

For more information about MODIS from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page..