GOES stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. It has a geo-synchronous orbit in that it remains over a fixed point on the earth above the equator. In order to do this, the orbit must be 36,000 km above the earth. This is in contrast to the POES or Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satelllites, which does not remain at a fixed point over the earth – it has a sun-synchronous orbit (follows the sun). It operates at a lower altitude of 850 km above the earth. The diagram represents some, but not all of the geostationary satellites positioned around the globe which are operated by the European community (Meteosat), the Russian Federation (GOMS) and Japan (GMS). There are also many polar orbiting satellites that are represented here by only one satellite to demonstrate the 850 km orbit. (Note the image is not drawn to scale).