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Satellites and Technology

Hi, I'm JPSS!

Watch this video to meet JPSS! Click here to download this video (1920x1080, 121 MB, video/mp4).


Meet JPSS

JPSS (short for Joint Polar Satellite System) is a series of high tech satellites that keep an eye on the weather and environment. These satellites circle the Earth from North Pole to South Pole 14 times each day as the planet spins below. This allows JPSS to see the whole Earth twice every day!


New Gadgets

JPSS-1 launched in November 2017. It has lots of advanced instruments to collect information about what’s going on around the globe. From its orbit 512 miles above Earth, JPSS-1 will help us:

  • Create more accurate weather forecasts up to 7 days in advance
  • Track how the weather affects plants, including forests and the crops that grow our food
  • Monitor ocean health by taking detailed measurements of the water temperature and color
  • Keep tabs on the atmosphere, the ocean and the land to create earlier warnings of severe weather
  • Watch for volcanoes and forest fires around the world to keep our air clean and safe


Download a poster



Read the comic!



Download the comic



Read more about what JPSS will do:




For more detailed information about this satellite system, check out jpss.noaa.gov!