The JPSS constellation collects multi-spectral data of Earths environment for NOAAs weather and climate work and for NASAs Earth science research.
NASA has chosen SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation) to provide launch services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) JPSS-4 mission. The JPSS-4 satellite is part of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) programme, a collaborative initiative between NASA and NOAA that began with the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership.
The contract for this mission is firm-fixed-price, valued at approximately $112.7m. This amount covers launch services and other related mission costs. The JPSS-4 satellite is scheduled to launch in 2027 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The JPSS constellation collects global multi-spectral radiometry and other specialised meteorological, oceanographic and solar-geophysical data through remote sensing of land, sea and atmospheric properties. These data are crucial for NOAA’s mission to continuously monitor Earth’s environment, predict changes in weather, climate, oceans and coasts, support the economy, and protect lives and property. Additionally, NASA uses the instruments aboard the JPSS satellites to conduct extensive Earth science research to benefit humanity. The JPSS-4 satellite will also carry NASA’s Earth Venture mission Libera, an instrument designed to enhance our understanding of Earth’s energy imbalance and climate change.
NASAs Launch Services Programme at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida is responsible for managing the launch services, while the JPSS Flight Projects Office at Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, oversees the acquisition of the JPSS series instruments and spacecraft. The JPSS Programme is managed by a collaborative team from NOAA and NASA.
