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Joint Polar Satellite System

The Mission

NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) provides global observations that serve as the backbone of both short- and long-term forecasts, including those that help us predict and prepare for severe weather events. The five satellites scheduled in the fleet are the currently-flying NOAA/NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite, NOAA-20, previously known as JPSS-1, NOAA-21, previously known as JPSS-2, and the upcoming JPSS-3 and JPSS-4 satellites.

JPSS satellites circle the Earth from pole to pole and cross the equator about 14 times daily in the afternoon orbit to provide full global coverage twice a day. In doing so, they provide the majority of data that informs numerical weather forecasting in the U.S. and deliver critical observations during severe weather events like hurricanes and blizzards.

Explore

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Learn about the JPSS fleet of satellites and the instruments onboard.
Satellite Facts
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The JPSS Program Science Team ensures the scientific integrity of the JPSS mission as well as develops and trains scientific products and applications.
Learn more
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Learn about the series of antennas, communications networks, and processing facilities that make up the JPSS Ground System.
JPSS Ground System
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STEM activities and lessons to teach K-12 students and the general public about how and why polar-orbiting weather satellites observe Earth and its atmosphere.
Educational Resources

Key Facts

JPSS-4 is the next satellite to be slated to launch in 2027.

A artist rendering of the JPSS Program Satellites

The five satellites scheduled in the fleet are the currently-flying NOAA/NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite, NOAA-20, previously known as JPSS-1, NOAA-21, previously known as JPSS-2, and the upcoming JPSS-3 and JPSS-4 satellites.

Each satellite carries at least four state-of-the-art instruments, including the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), the Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS). Some of the satellites, like Suomi NPP, NOAA-20 and JPSS-4, carry an instrument to measure the Earth’s energy budget.

Image of the atlas five rocket launch carrying JPSS-2 Satellite

JPSS is launched form Vandenberg Space Force in California. The satellite needs to launch from the West Coast in order to get into the right position for a polar orbit.

 

NOAA-21, NOAA-20, and Suomi NPP Orbits

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JPSS News