W e l c o m e  t o
The Initial Joint Polar-Orbiting Operational Satellite System (IJPS) web site

The IJPS is the result of a cooperative effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). It is comprised of two polar-orbiting satellite systems and their respective ground segments. The IJPS will provide and improve the operational meteorological and environmental forecasting and global climate monitoring services worldwide. The IJPS will continue long-term environmental observations from polar orbit provided by the United States since April 1, 1960. The IJPS program will be contributing to and supporting the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Observing System, the Global Climate Observing System, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), and other related programs.

The US contribution to the IJPS program is being planned, programmed and implemented as part of the POES program under the responsibility of the Office of Systems Development within NESDIS of NOAA. This web site contains information on development and planning activities in support of the IJPS.

The NOAA Polar Program Manager is Mike Mignogno. He can be reached at (301) 817-4413 and by fax at (301) 817-4403. The Polar Program manages and plans for all space and ground data system services required to ensure continued availability of global environmental data from current and future polar spacecraft.

For comments or suggestions on the web pages, please email Kirk Liang