Joint Polar Satellite System

Joint Polar Satellite System is a collaborative project between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop and operate a series of polar-orbiting weather satellites. The system is designed to provide critical weather forecasting and climate monitoring capabilities, supporting the National Weather Service (NWS) and other United States Department of Commerce agencies, such as the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). The Joint Polar Satellite System is also closely coordinated with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and other international partners, including the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Chinese Meteorological Administration (CMA).

Introduction

The Joint Polar Satellite System is a vital component of the United States' weather satellite constellation, providing essential data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and oceanography. The system is designed to work in conjunction with the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series, operated by NOAA and NASA, and the Polar Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) series, which was previously operated by NOAA and NASA. The Joint Polar Satellite System is also closely coordinated with other international weather satellite systems, including the EUMETSAT Metop series and the JMA Himawari series. The system's data is used by a wide range of organizations, including the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).

History

The Joint Polar Satellite System was established in the early 2000s as a collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA to develop a new generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites. The system's first satellite, Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP), was launched in 2011 and was operated by NOAA and NASA in partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The second satellite, JPSS-1 (also known as NOAA-20), was launched in 2017 and is currently operational, providing critical weather forecasting and climate monitoring data to NOAA and other users. The system's third satellite, JPSS-2, is currently under development and is scheduled for launch in the mid-2020s, with subsequent satellites planned for launch in the late 2020s and early 2030s, including JPSS-3 and JPSS-4.

Spacecraft Design

The Joint Polar Satellite System spacecraft are designed to operate in a polar orbit at an altitude of approximately 824 kilometers (512 miles), providing global coverage of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces. The spacecraft are equipped with a range of instruments, including the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), which provide critical data on atmospheric temperature and humidity, sea surface temperature, and ocean currents. The spacecraft are also equipped with a range of communications and navigation systems, including the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The Joint Polar Satellite System spacecraft are designed to be highly reliable and fault-tolerant, with a planned mission lifetime of at least 7 years.

Launch and Operation

The Joint Polar Satellite System satellites are launched into orbit using the Delta II rocket, which is provided by the United Launch Alliance (ULA). The satellites are operated by NOAA and NASA from the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland, Maryland, with support from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The system's operations are closely coordinated with other weather satellite systems, including the GOES series and the POES series, to ensure seamless and continuous weather forecasting and climate monitoring capabilities. The Joint Polar Satellite System is also closely coordinated with international partners, including EUMETSAT and JMA, to ensure global coverage and consistency of weather forecasting and climate monitoring data.

Instruments and Capabilities

The Joint Polar Satellite System satellites are equipped with a range of instruments that provide critical data on the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) provides high-resolution imagery of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, while the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) provide critical data on atmospheric temperature and humidity. The system's instruments also include the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) and the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES), which provide data on ozone and clouds. The Joint Polar Satellite System satellites are designed to provide a wide range of data products, including sea surface temperature, ocean currents, and atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles.

Data Products and Applications

The Joint Polar Satellite System provides a wide range of data products that are used by a variety of organizations, including NOAA, NASA, and the National Weather Service (NWS). The system's data products include sea surface temperature, ocean currents, and atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, which are used for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and oceanography. The system's data products are also used by other organizations, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Park Service (NPS). The Joint Polar Satellite System is an essential component of the United States' weather satellite constellation, providing critical data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and oceanography. The system's data products are used to support a wide range of applications, including aviation, agriculture, and disaster response. The Joint Polar Satellite System is closely coordinated with other international weather satellite systems, including the EUMETSAT Metop series and the JMA Himawari series, to ensure global coverage and consistency of weather forecasting and climate monitoring data. Category:Weather satellites