Weather satellite JPSS-1 successfully launches

UPDATE @ 7:27 a.m.

JPSS-1 successfully launched into orbit Saturday morning at 4:47 a.m., according to Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Kirstie Zontini.

Once it reaches its final orbit, it will be renamed NOAA 20. There are about 3 months of tests then the data it collects will be used officially. This satellite was built to operate for seven years.

EARLIER REPORT

NASA, in partnership with the NOAA, will launch a satellite Saturday that will help improve weather forecasts.

The satellite launch was scheduled for earlier this week, but was postponed twice.

The launch for the JPSS-1 satellite is scheduled at 4:47 a.m. Saturday, according to NASA.

A live stream of the launch will be available on NASA’s website starting at 4:15 a.m.

WATCH: Live stream of NOAA JPSS-1 weather satellite 

The satellites will help improve NOAA forecasts for the three to seven day time frame. The data collected from the JPSS is fed into the numerical forecast models to help improve them. The satellites will also collect atmospheric measurements, ground conditions and ocean conditions like vegetation, hurricane intensity, and atmospheric moisture.

The JPSS-1 will be launch from Vandenburg Air Force Base in California pending proper flight conditions. The launch was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was delayed until today.

>> WHIO Doppler 7 Interactive Radar

This satellite is a polar orbiting satellite which means it will orbit the earth from the one pole to the other passing the equator 14 times a day. Full coverage of the planet will be provided then twice a day.

JPSS-2 is planned to launch in 2021 and JPSS-3 and JPSS-4 are anticipated to launch in 2026 and 2031.