2/26/12 $2 Billion for Weather Satellites

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, is requesting $2 billion in their 2013 fiscal budget for their satellite programs. The 9% increase would cover both geostationary and polar-orbiting spacecraft, as well as a space weather mission, and a joint ocean research observatory with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The exact budget details propose spending around $916 million on the Joint Polar Satellite System, JPSS, which is a satellite program that monitors weather and climate patterns from orbit. The JPSS funding would be around $8 million less than was given the previous year. The JPSS program is fairly new, and includes two satellites, the first of which is set to launch in early 2017.

Another series of geostationary weather observatories that are included in the 2013 budget are known as the GOES-R, and are set to launch in October 2015. They are asking to receive $802 million, which is more than $180 million more than this years budget received. The GOES-R program includes four satellites that will provide continuous storm-tracking weather coverage through 2036.

The Deep Space Climate Observatory, or DSCOVR, is another weather satellite that will provide an array of weather information. NOAA is asking to have it funded at almost $23 million in fiscal year 2013 which is $7 million less than the previous year. This particular weather satellite would be placed at Earth's L1 Langrangian point which would allow it to have a continuous view of Earth's Sun-lit side. Pictures would be taken of that side in an effort to have continuous pictures of the Earth live on the internet. In addition to that, a radiometer would also be on board to take the first direct measurements of how much sunlight is reflected and emitted from the whole Earth. It still has not made it into space yet, but the U.S. Air Force will be providing a rocket for DSCOVR to be used in a launch date in mid-2014. Until then, NOAA will be refurbishing and repurposing the spacecraft to host a suite of space weather sensors to help forecast geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt power grids, communications, navigation services and endanger astronauts in space.

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory satellite, called SOHO, was a joint project between the ESA and NASA. It was originally planned as only a 2 year mission, but still currently operates over 15 years later. In fact, the mission was even approved to last until December of this year. SOHO, along with the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite, both currently provide space weather forecast services. The ACE also has outlived it's original estimated lifespan. It was launched on August 25, 1997 and the spacecraft is still in generally good condition, and has enough fuel to continue its orbit until 2024.

Sources: NOAA, NASA, Spaceflight Now, NWS