 and JPSS 1 represents an evolutionary copy of S-NPP, with some significant upgrades. The S-NPP spacecraft was built to a five-year lifespan requirement and JPSS 1 was enhanced to a seven-year design.
What’s more, high data rate instruments will use a more reliable data bus, the propulsion system’s thruster catalyst was changed, the power system uses lithium-ion batteries rather than nickel-hydrogen technology and more efficient solar cells and there’s a new Ka-band transmitter for sending stored data to NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellites and faster delivery to the ground.
The JPSS 1 satellite’s legacy can be traced to 1960 and the launch of TIROS, the first Television Infrared Observation Satellite. Upgrades and technology advancements have evolved the civilian weather observatories through the decades.
There have been 44 NOAA polar orbiters launched in the 57-year line using Delta, Atlas and Titan rockets.
The second JPSS satellite is under construction at Orbital ATK for its launch by an Atlas 5 in 2021.
Four sequential satellites — JPSS 1, 2, 3 and 4 — are planned under the Joint Polar Satellite System program, ensuring observations to 2038.