NASA Earth Science leaders anticipate low-cost launch options

NASA Earth Science leaders are enthusiastic about the potential for principal investigators to take advantage of new low-cost launch options.

Decommissioned Earth science satellite to remain in orbit for centuries

A U.S.-European satellite that completed its mission earlier this month has been decommissioned but will remain in orbit for as long as 1,000 years, far beyond existing orbital debris mitigation guidelines.

Software fix planned to restore DSCOVR

A space weather and Earth observation satellite that has been offline for more than three months could be restored to normal operations with new software, but that fix is not expected to be completed until early next year.

NOAA weather satellite transferred to U.S. Air Force

A retired NOAA geostationary weather satellite is being handed over to the U.S. Air Force to fill in a gap in the service’s forecasting requirements.

NOAA seeks to “kick the tires” on new instruments, mission concepts

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to conduct technology demonstrations and pathfinder projects as it prepares to update its Earth observation constellations.

GOES-17 instrument problem blamed on blocked heat pipe

A report released Aug. 1 concluded that a problem with an instrument on the GOES-17 weather satellite is likely caused by some kind of blockage in a system used to cool the instrument.

Fresh $18.7 million funding round puts PlanetiQ weather constellation back on track

After years of delays, PlanetiQ says its constellation of commercial weather satellites will be ready to start launching in January thanks to $18.7 million in new capital. 

DSCOVR spacecraft in safe mode

A joint NASA/NOAA spacecraft that monitors space weather and provides imagery of Earth has been offline for more than a week because of a problem with its positioning system.

FCC dismisses studies of potential 5G interference with satellite weather observations

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission defended the use of spectrum for 5G wireless services while a key senator called for a hearing on potential interference such services could have with space-based weather observations.

COSMIC-2 weather data key to better forecasts, NOAA says

Tropical storm and space weather forecasts will improve with the help of observations from radio occultation satellites scheduled for launch June 24 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said June 11.

NOAA seeks funding for innovative technologies, novel partnerships

NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service is requesting nearly $17.3 million in 2020 funding for a series of initiatives to explore the potential contributions of new data partnerships, small satellites and advanced technologies.

Dozens of satellites could feed NOAA’s future weather models

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s future satellite constellations are likely to look far different from the current ones, particularly in low Earth orbit where small satellites of various sizes could gather targeted observations.

A clearer outlook for NOAA weather satellite programs

To plan future constellations, the agency is conducting the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture (NSOSA) study. What has it revealed so far? And how will commercial satellites and data products feed into future architectures?

FCC budget endorses spectrum sharing with weather satellites

The Trump administration’s 2020 budget blueprint reiterates plans to allow wireless broadband to share a portion of the radio frequency spectrum currently reserved for geostationary weather satellite observations and terrestrial sensors monitoring flooding, air quality and wildfires.

Big cut proposed for NOAA satellite division

An earlier version of this article that appeared in the March 25 issue of SpaceNews reported that the White House was seeking $1.2 billion for NESDIS. 

The Trump administration’s 2020 budget plan would reduce funding by about 17 …