Science Committee Chairs Applaud Successful Launch of JPSS-2 Satellite
(Washington, DC)—Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) mission was successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. JPSS-2 is the third satellite in the polar satellite series. The satellite will orbit the Earth from the North pole to South pole—capturing critical data to improve weather forecasts, helping scientists predict and prepare for extreme weather events and monitor climate change. NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) technology demonstration was an additional payload carried aloft by the rocket that launched JPSS-2.
“Congratulations to NASA, NOAA, and launch provider ULA on a successful launch of the JPSS-2 satellite, which is now on its way to a polar orbit, where it will collect observations that are critical to improving weather forecasts and understanding extreme weather and climate change,” said Chairman Don Beyer (D-VA) of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “The successful development, and now launch, of JPSS-2 is a credit to the effective collaboration of NASA and NOAA to build and operate the nation’s fleet of weather satellites. With JPSS-2, the NASA-NOAA partnership ensures important continuity of weather observations and strengthens and advances our nation’s weather satellite systems. I am also eager to see the results of NASA’s demonstration of an inflatable decelerator technology, LOFTID, that is co-manifested on JPSS-2. LOFTID could open new ways to land large and heavy payloads on Mars, a valuable capability for our plans to send humans there one day.”
“Congratulations to NOAA and NASA on a successful launch of JPSS-2, which will provide critical weather data, monitor climate change, and enhance disaster preparedness around the world,” said Chairwoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) of the Subcommittee on Environment. “Communities in my district and across the country are experiencing more life-threatening weather events than ever before. JPSS-2 will help protect lives and mitigate property damage in the face of these increasingly extreme weather events. The value of high-resolution observations provided by polar satellites was highlighted recently when NOAA-20—formerly JPSS-1—helped responders understand the impacts of Hurricane Ian and precisely direct response and recovery efforts to devastated parts of Florida and the southeastern United States. I applaud NOAA and NASA for their continued partnership on the JPSS series and their support in building a weather-ready nation.”
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