Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Requirements Evolution: Supporting Weather, Oceanic and Climate Prediction through Enhanced Program Baseline

The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) program will provide continuity of polar-orbiting satellite products in the afternoon (1330 z) orbit, continuing support for weather, oceanic and climate forecasting and prediction. Subsequently, these JPSS data are critical to the operational NOAA missions and allow for augmented response to ever more complex environmental challenges. By focusing on these user requirements, JPSS is able to shape its product baseline and system architecture to create a cost-effective and streamlined production environment. Quantifying and anticipating user needs allows JPSS to amply support its NOAA and broader international and researched based user communities. JPSS achieves this through scientific review and analysis of its requirements, coordinated through Program Science. Multiple product, process and architectural elements within the JPSS program are evaluated against their utilization within the NOAA and international community. Findings that result from these evaluations are employed to guide current and future implementation decisions and goals within the JPSS Program.