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This paper outlines the requirements, methodologies, and implementation approach for development of the NOAA/NASA GOES-R Hyperspectral Environmental Suite (HES), which is scheduled to fly in the 2012 timeframe. The HES is currently being developed within the framework of the GOES Program to fulfill the future needs and requirements flowed down through the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS).As an integral component of the GOES-R series satellites, HES will provide measurements of the traditional temperature and water vapor vertical profiles with higher accuracy and finer vertical resolution than the current GOES sounder series as well as coastal water properties. HES will have approximately 1500 spectral channels for sounding in this suite, compared to the current GOES Sounder series with its 18 spectral channels, leading to improved vertical resolution and reducing temperature error. HES will also have approximately five times faster coverage rate.As a suite, HES is planned with new capabilities for coastal ocean coverage with the goal of including open ocean coverage. These new planned imaging applications, which will be either multispectral or hyperspectral, will also be discussed. An overview of the HES requirements will be presented along with how these requirements fit into goals and objectives at an Earth Science level, the GOES-R mission level, the spacecraft level, and the instrument suite level and will include an overview of the GOES-R project methodologies for achieving the advanced functional objectives of the GOES Program partnership(s).

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