Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON)

NOAA’s Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) Program will develop future low-Earth orbit (LEO) environmental satellites. Low and medium Earth observations are critical for weather forecasting, environmental observation, and public safety. NEON sets the stage for NOAA to manage future polar and other low Earth and medium Earth orbit satellite observations as loosely coupled projects.

Enhancing Partnerships

The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites from NOAA, NASA and international partners  contribute to more than a half-century of unbroken climate data records. LEO satellites are  the backbone of global long-range weather forecasting models, supplying more than 80 percent of the numerical weather prediction model data used for 3 to 7 day forecasts. These satellites detect and monitor hazards such as fires, droughts, floods, poor air quality, coral bleaching events, unhealthy coastal waters and others. NOAA and its interagency and international partners use LEO data every day to meet ongoing mission needs. The NEON program will usher in a new paradigm for NOAA to continue to provide for these environmental measurements to support a wide variety of atmospheric, terrestrial, marine and polar observations. Data uses include the numerical weather prediction models, fire and flood models, atmospheric chemistry observations and multiple land imagery products that have been crucial pieces of the NOAA strategic goals to build both a “Weather Ready Nation.”

Collaboration Delivers the Mission 

NEON is a collaborative mission between NOAA and NASA. NASA will manage the development of the satellites and launch them for NOAA, which will operate them and deliver data to users worldwide. NOAA and NASA will work with commercial partners to design and build the NEON spacecraft and instruments…