NOAA adopts portfolio approach to Earth-observation mission

At the direction of the Biden Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) is adopting a portfolio approach.

GAO takes weather satellite program off watch list

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has taken a weather satellite program off a list of high-risk projects it is monitoring, but is heightening its concerns about NASA acquisition management.

NOAA declares first JPSS weather satellite operational

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced May 30 that its first next-generation polar-orbiting weather satellite is now fully operational as the government moves to procure additional satellites.

NOAA budget proposal restores schedule for future JPSS satellites

The fiscal year 2019 budget proposal for NOAA restores an earlier schedule for two future polar-orbiting weather satellites that faced potential delays last year.

NOAA’s future constellation: large and small satellites in variety of orbits

NOAA's future constellation could include a mix of large government-owned and government-operated satellites, imaging instruments hosted on commercial satellites, small satellites in low Earth orbit and data purchased from commercial firms.

New ground network gives forecasters quicker access to satellite weather data

The Common Ground Station 2.0 already is retrieving satellite data from a new ground station at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in addition to the ground station in Svalbard, Norway, that NASA and NOAA relied on in the first generation of the Common Ground System.

With JPSS-1 bound for orbit, forecast calls for a sigh of relief

This article originally ran in the Nov. 6, 2017 issue of SpaceNews magazine. JPSS-1 launched Nov. 18.

Forecasters are breathing a sigh of relief as the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration prepares to launch the fir…

Battery problem delays JPSS-1 launch

The launch of the first of a new series of polar-orbiting weather satellites, on the next-to-last flight of a venerable rocket, has been delayed several days in order to replace a battery in the rocket.

NOAA budget request prioritizes current satellite programs over future ones

The fiscal year 2018 budget request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers full funding for ongoing major weather satellite programs while deferring work on future efforts.

NOAA cuts target future polar weather satellites

While NOAA received full funding for its ongoing weather satellite programs, the agency is looking at options after a cut to a program for future polar-orbiting weather satellites.

New satellites, new administration key topics of AMS meeting

A meeting of atmospheric and space scientists this week will feature enthusiasm about a new generation of weather satellites tempered by uncertainty about the future of key programs in the Trump administration.

JPSS-1 launch date slips again

The launch of the first Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) spacecraft, once set to take place this month, has been delayed again because of technical issues, this time until no earlier than July.

NOAA sees smallsats as good gap fillers for weather system

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is interested in using miniature satellites to gather data it can feed into the agency’s weather prediction models to augment data provided by its fleet of large spacecra…

Instrument, ground systems problems blamed for JPSS-1 launch delay

A problem with a key instrument and ongoing ground systems issues led NASA and NOAA to delay the launch of the first next-generation polar-orbiting weather satellite.

First JPSS satellite launch delayed two months

The launch of the first next-generation polar orbiting weather satellite has slipped by two months because of issues with the spacecraft and its ground systems, NOAA confirmed Aug. 5.

GAO remains concerned about potential polar satellite weather data gap

While the first of a new generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites remains on schedule to launch next year, the U.S. Government Accountability Office is concerned that it may slip, increasing the risk of a data gap.

A larger share of NOAA’s declining space budget would go to polar satellites

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s campaign to sustain its fleet of polar-orbiting environmental satellites would receive more money next year even as NOAA’s overall space spending would dip slightly under the 2017 budget plan the White House sent Congress Feb. 9.

Gulf Coast Lawmakers Push For Polar Follow-on Funding

A bipartisan coalition of Gulf Coast lawmakers has asked the House appropriations panel that funds U.S. weather satellite programs to reverse its decision to leave a next-generation polar weather satellite out of a 2016 spending bill the lower chamber approved in June.

NOAA Digs In on Polar Follow-on Plan Despite Cloudy Funding Outlook

NOAA does not intend to rework its plan for developing and deploying the three polar-orbiting weather satellites Congress is refusing to fund at the level the White House requested for 2016, the agency’s top satellite official said here July 28.

Orbital ATK Retains JPSS Work as GAO Strikes Down Ball Protest

The U.S. Government Accountability Office on July 16 denied a protest from Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. that sought to overturn the award of a U.S. weather satellite contract worth up to $470 million to rival Orbital ATK.