NOAA
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 …
5G trumps meteorology as FCC rebuffs NASA, NOAA call to halt auction
Far from ending the fight between members of the Trump administration who see 5G as an international economic race and meteorologists concerned about interference with weather satellite data, the auction was just round one.
Lawmakers urge FCC to postpone March 14 spectrum auction
Leaders of the House Science Committee and three House Appropriations subcommittees are calling on the FCC to delay the auction of 5G radio frequency spectrum scheduled for March 14 due to concern about interference with space-based weather sensors.
