The GOES satellites carried a Space Environment Monitor (SEM) which investigated solar particle emissions and helped study the effect of solar activity on Earth's telecommunications systems. The SEM detected solar protons, alpha particles, solar electrons, solar X-rays, and magnetic fields.

In addition to observations, the GOES platform (the satellite stationed over the Pacific Ocean) has been used to create and operate PEACESAT (Pan-Pacific Educational and Cultural Experiments by Satellite). PEACESAT provides satellite telecommunications to serve the educational, economic development, medical and cultural needs of many Pacific island nations and territories.

GOES 1978-1987
GOES-4 made the first vertical temperature and moisture measurements from synchronous orbit. From these cross-sections, the altitudes and temperatures of clouds were determined and a three-dimensional picture of their distribution was drawn for more accurate weather prediction. Using GOES imagery, meteorologists were able to measure the frame-to-frame movement of selected clouds at different altitudes and to obtain their wind direction and speed in order to better understand atmospheric circulation patterns.

GOES-7 had the added capability of transponding signals at 406 MHz from emergency locator transmitters on ships and planes in distress; this would greatly aid search-and-rescue efforts. GOES-7 was able to participate in an experiment to show the effectiveness of satellites for use in the international Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System (SARSAT). SARSAT became operational with the launch of GOES-8 in 1988.

GOES 1988- Today
The GOES Program continued to improve; new technological innovations and sensors (such as Doppler radar, popular with weather stations across the country) were added. The modern GOES satellite assists with the observation and, when possible, the prediction of fairly local weather events including thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash floods, and even snow squalls.

More recently GOES observations have proven helpful in monitoring dust storms, volcano eruptions, and even the spread of forest fires.

A data collection system was added to GOES, allowing it to receive and relay environmental data. These data could have been collected by widely dispersed surface platforms, such as river and rain gauges, seismometers, tide gauges, buoys, ships and automatic weather stations. Platforms transmit sensor data to the satellite at regular intervals, upon request by the satellite, or in an emergency alarm mode whenever a sensor receives information exceeding a preset level (such as when river water levels rise)