NOAA's newest eye in the sky has a new name.
The Joint Polar Satellite System-1 satellite, launched early Saturday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, is now in its set orbit. Along with a new address it also got a new name: NOAA-20.
NOAA-20 is the first in a series of four satellites in the joint NOAA-NASA venture. According to NOAA its satellites are typically built in sets or series.
The new NOAA-20 satellite has been designed to aid in longer-range weather forecasts three to seven days out, according to NOAA.
Although NOAA-20 is now in orbit, it will be months before its data will be available to scientists.
According to NOAA the satellite's five instruments will need to be tested for three months.
NOAA-20 is expected to be in operatation for at least seven years.
The new satellite will join the NOAA/NASA Suomi NPP satellite in the same polar orbit. It will also monitor atmospheric temperature and moisture, clouds, sea-surface temperature and color, sea ice cover, volcanic ash and fire detection, according to NOAA.