JPSS

JPSS stands for the Joint Polar Satellite Systems.  NASA builds JPSS for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), that is JPSS is procured by NOAA through NASA.  It is the United States's next generation polar orbiting satellite systems.  Its goal is to ensure continuity and increase timeliness and accuracy of weather and climate events forecasts, public warnings, global measurements of atmospheric and oceanic conditions such as ozone, surface sea temperature, and reducing potential loss of human life and property.  The primary user of JPSS satellites is NOAA's National Weather Services.  "Data from the JPSS system will be made available by the U.S. government to domestic and international users in support of the U.S. commitments for the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS)" [2].

JPSS satellites will fly and their scientific data will be processed by the JPSS- Common Ground System  (JPSS-CGS).  The JPSS-CGS consists of a Command, Control, and Communications Segment (C3S) and the Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS), both of which are build by Raytheon company. Major components of CGS have been delivered and NPP satellite is the first satellite to use the CGS system and some key sensors as a risk reduction and early flight opportunity for JPSS.


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The first spacecraft, JPSS-1, will take advantage of technologies developed through the Suomi NPP satellite which was launched on October 28, 2011.  The JPSS payload of Scientific Instruments includes:

• Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).
• Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS): developer and builder is ITT corporation.
• Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS): developer and builder is Northrop Grumman. 
• Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS): developer and builder is Ball Aerospace.
• Cloud and Earth Radiant Energy System (CERES)
• Total Solar irradiance Sensor (TSIS)

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JPSS-1 is expected to launch in November 2016.


References:

1. http://www.jpss.noaa.gov
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Polar_Satellite_System#Technical_specifications 
3. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/sep/HQ_C10-058_JPSS-1_Spacecraft.html