The next big satellite program for polar orbiting satellites is called NPOESS or the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System.

Even though NPOESS won't be operational until 2008, the intial plans for this program started in 1994! This is a good example of the extensive planning involved in satellite programs.

The NPOESS program will combine the existing polar satellite systems from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), trimming the number of polar orbiting satellites that the United States supports down from 4 to 3. This saves money. Technological advances should result in better weather forecasts that will save lives too.

The NPOESS management team is a tri-agency program with contributions from NOAA, DOD, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Like Aqua and Terra, NPOESS satellites will monitor global environmental conditions and collect and disseminate data related to weather, atmosphere, oceans, land and our near-space environment.