The NOAA-21 satellite is now operational

It’s official: NOAA-21, the newest satellite in NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System, is up and running.

The satellite joins its predecessors, Suomi NPP and NOAA-20, each of which orbits the globe 14 times daily, providing a continuous stream of data to improve the accuracy of NOAA’s 3-7 day forecasts. This includes monitoring extreme weather events and monitoring climate change.

The satellite was launched in November 2022 as JPSS-2 and was renamed NOAA-21 when it reached orbit. NOAA-21 now powers three NOAA spacecraft powered by the most advanced technology the agency has ever flown in polar orbit, capturing precise observations of the world’s atmosphere, land, and water.

Michael C. said: Morgan, Assistant Secretary of State: “NOAA-21 will help generate improved, reliable forecasts that can save lives, protect property, and provide communities and decision makers with the critical time needed to prepare for dangerous weather events.” Trade for environmental monitoring and forecasting.

NOAA-21 provides NOAA’s National Weather Service with global data for numerical weather prediction models used to develop accurate and timely U.S. weather forecasts. In addition, high-resolution images from the satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometry Array, known as VIIRS, will enable NOAA-21 to detect fog, Arctic sea ice, volcanic eruptions and wildfires.

This advanced modeling information and imagery, shared with international and government partners, will help businesses, emergency preparedness and response communities and individuals make the best possible decisions in the face of weather-related risks.

“We rely on global temperature and humidity observations, provided by NOAA-21, to develop our 3- to 7-day weather forecasts. Emergency managers also use These forecasts are used to identify resources in advance before a storm occurs.

“Together with our international partner EUMETSAT Offsite link“We have a tremendous team of satellites providing data similar to NOAA-21, but from a different orbit,” said Steve Volz, Ph.D., director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Satellite and Information Service.

The JPSS satellites are designed to operate for seven years, with the possibility of several more years of operation. The JPSS mission will provide critical data and information for at least the next two decades to support a weather-ready nation.

NOAA funds and manages the JPSS program, operations, and data products. On behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA develops and builds instruments and spacecraft, and launches satellites. NASA developed the Earth system that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates and maintains.