The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) is a satellite system used to monitor global environmental conditions, and collect and disseminate data related to: weather, atmosphere, oceans, land and near-space environment. In 1994, it was recognized that converging the existing polar systems from the Department of Commerce (DoC) and Department of Defense (DoD) would result in a more cost effective and higher performance integrated system. Converging U.S. polar-orbiting satellite programs, the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System will reduce the number of polar-orbiting systems from four U.S. satellite groups to three. NPOESS has initiated a systematic program of convergence projects (sensors, concept demonstrations, and with NASA, the NPOESS Preparatory Project). The Integrated Program Office has initiated planning and development programs of satellite transition, sensor development and user training.

Mission Instrumentation:

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environment Satellite System (NPOESS) will collect and disseminate data about the Earth's oceans, atmosphere, land, climate, and space environment. These environmental measurements are made available by a variety of instruments (sensors) both new and existing. The following lists the various sensors:

VIIRS Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite
CMIS Conical Microwave Imager/Sounder
CrIS Crosstrack Infrared Sounder
OMPS Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite
SESS Space Environment Sensor Suite
APS Aerosol Polarimeter Sensor
ATMS Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (currently under development by NASA)
DCS Data Collection System
ERBS Earth Radiation Budget Sensor
RADAR Altimeter
SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking
TSI Total Solar Irradiance Sensor
ASCAT Advanced Scatterometer (ESA)
Retroreflector array

Mission Parameters:

NPOESS Mission Parameters
Sponsors:	NOAA, NASA, DoD
Expected Life:	7 years
Primary Applications:	Sea syrface height
Primary SLR Applications:	precision orbit determination
COSPAR ID:	TBD
SIC Code:	TBD
NORAD SSC Code:	TBD
Launch Date:	2013
NP Bin Size:	TBD
RRA Diameter:	TBD
RRA Shape:	TBD
Reflectors:	TBD
Orbit:	polar
Inclination:	98.7 +/- 0.05 degrees
Eccentricity:	0.0011
Altitude:	833 +/- 17 km
Weight:	~550 kg

NPOESS

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