Sky Watchers: The 2025–2033 Boom in Weather & Climate Satellite Constellations
Over 5,400 Earth observation satellites are projected to be launched globally from 2024 to 2033, nearly triple the previous decade. NOAA’s GeoXO program will deploy at least three geostationary satellites (with options up to four more) to upgrade GOES-R and extend Western Hemisphere coverage, following a $2.27 billion contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in 2024. NOAA/NASA plan JPSS-3 for 2027 and JPSS-4 for 2032 to provide critical morning-orbit polar data for numerical weather models. Europe’s MTG and MetOp-SG programs will deliver six MTG satellites (four MTG-I imagers and two MTG-S sounders) and the MetOp-SG A1/B1 pair by 2025, with MTG