JPSS Multi Mission Concept of Operations

The purpose of this visualization is to aid in establishing a shared understanding about key concepts, complexities, and unique features of a multi-mission JPSS. Our approach to achieving this goal for the visualization is to introduce and build on a sequence of key concepts i.e. orbit, observation, communication, and constellation. Each is presented as a short episode that tells a JPSS concept of operations (ConOPs) “story” when shown in sequence.

Narration by Robert Harberts (GST)

Complete transcript available.

Complete visualization (Orbit, Collection, Communication, Constellations) - no narration.
This video is also available on our YouTube channel.

Orbit – view of S-NPP in orbit introducing what a 1325 LTAN and sun-synchronous orbit means (using planes of reference, animation, and different space-based perspectives). Demonstrate insertion of a J-series mission into the LTAN orbital plane and what along-track separation between satellites mean.

Observations – demonstrate how observations and data are taken from the imager and sounder instruments from orbit, explain ground tracks, swaths, coverage, and 14 day repeat cycle.

Communications – demonstrate how observational instrument data will be downloaded to earth via North and South polar contacts. Demonstrate the hybrid communication mode using North Pole and TDRSS contacts illustrating the orbital complexities of JPSS in-view contacts with TDRSS and relayed data to White Sands NM.

Subset of communications clip above showing communications with polar stations

Constellation – demonstrate two JPSS missions orbiting in conjunction with other orbiting NASA, NOAA, international, and US military missions.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS orbit plane with notation describing orbit LTAN of 13:25

JPSS Print Still - JPSS orbit plane with notation describing orbit inclination of 98.69 degrees.

JPSS Print Still - Top down view of Earth rotating around the Sun, while sun-synchronous orbit remains fixed relative to sun vector.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1 is introduced at a half orbit separation from SNPP.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1's imaging instrument collects data

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1's sounder (blue) and imager (green) instruments collect data.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1's sounder (blue) and imager (green) instruments collect data. A swath persists behind the satellite to show where data has been collected.

JPSS Print Still - SNPP's data swaths overlap JPSS1's data swaths with a slight offset due to the Earth's rotation below the orbit plane.

JPSS Print Still - Total swath accumulation is depicted in green. Approximately 14 orbits are required for complete, global coverage.

JPSS Print Still - SNPP and JPSS1 communicate with ground stations located at Svalbard, Norway, and McMurdo station, Antarctica.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1 downlinking data to Svalbard. A yellow cone represents the station's field of view above the horizon and a yellow line depicts when a satellite is in view.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1 downlinking data to Svalbard. A yellow cone represents the station's field of view above the horizon, and a yellow line depicts when a satellite is in view.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1 and JPSS2 flying a half orbit separation.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1 and JPSS2 using NASA's TDRS satellites to relay data to the White Sands ground station.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1 and JPSS2 along with several other supporting missions flying in similar polar orbits.

JPSS Print Still - JPSS1 and JPSS2 along with several other supporting missions flying in similar polar orbits.