The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System nears its launch after the integration of the fifth and final instrument – Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder.
NOAA said Thursday JPSS-1 moves closer to its early 2017 launch following ATMS integration.
“Soon, the spacecraft will be prepared for the environmental testing phase which is the next step toward launch,” said JPSS Director Harry Cikanek.
The agency said ATMS will work to predict weather between three and seven days in advance.
NOAA added the instrument aims to give an inside view of clouds, hurricanes and other storms and to provide rainfall rates and snow and ice information.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies serves as the integrator of the JPSS-1 instruments and completed the integration of the first four instruments in April 2015.
