CONTACT:  Patricia Viets               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                       5/20/97

The nation's newest weather satellite, NOAA GOES-10, has sent back its first image from space, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today.

NOAA GOES-10, a geostationary weather satellite that takes images of clouds and reads the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, sent back a clear, crisp image from its vantage point 22,300 miles in space. The satellite was launched on April 25 from Cape Canaveral.

"The image is right on track, " said Gerry Dittberner, NOAA's GOES program manager. "It's clear, sharp, and right on the mark."

NOAA's GOES-10 will be stored in orbit and will replace either GOES-8 or GOES-9 as needed. "GOES" stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. These satellites are operated by NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service in Suitland, Md.

Note to Editors: An image is available by calling NOAA/NESDIS PA .

Legislative offices should call: Monica Gonzales.

NOAA constituents should call: Joyce Gross