NPOESS is the next generation of polar-orbiting environmental satellites, replacing the present operational systems of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Defense, while incorporating the technological advances of the Earth Observing System satellites developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

During 2006, the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) was significantly restructured as the result of program cost growth and sensor development problems incurred in previous years. The restructured program contains a reduced number of satellites and sensors and the satellite launches are delayed. This presentation addresses the status of the restructured NPOESS program from the government's perspective.