The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) – R Series is the nation's most advanced fleet of geostationary weather satellites. The GOES-R Series significantly improves the detection and observation of environmental phenomena that directly affect public safety, protection of property and our nation's economic health and prosperity.
The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) is the nation's advanced series of polar-orbiting environmental satellites. Considered the backbone of the global observing system, JPSS satellites circle Earth from pole to pole and cross the equator 14 times daily—providing full global coverage twice a day. JPSS-2 is scheduled to launch in 2022, and JPSS-3 and -4 have anticipated launch dates in 2028 and 2032, respectively.
NOAA's Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite system is the ground-breaking mission that will advance Earth observations from geostationary orbit. NOAA is currently planning, pending approval, a three-satellite GeoXO operational constellation. Spacecraft in the current GOES East and GOES West positions will carry an imager, lightning mapper, and ocean color instrument, and a centrally-located spacecraft will carry a sounder and atmospheric composition instrument. A day/night band, or channel, is recommended as part of either the imager or the sounder. This constellation can also accommodate a partner payload on the spacecraft flying in the central location.