NOAA 15 and NOAA 19 To Be Decommissioned: End of an Era for Weather Satellites

NOAA 15 and NOAA 19 To Be Decommissioned: End of an Era for Weather Satellites

Big changes are coming to global weather data and satellite reception. NOAA has scheduled the decommissioning of NOAA-15 and NOAA-19, the last two operational satellites from the Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) program, with shutdowns planned for August 12, 2025 and August 19, 2025. This POES satellite retirement marks a pivotal moment for weather satellite operations, APT weather imagery enthusiasts, and amateur radio communities relying on 137 MHz downlinks.

Historic Satellite Service: What Are NOAA-15 and NOAA-19?

Launched in 1998 and 2009, NOAA-15 and NOAA-19 have delivered vital polar-orbiting observations for forecasting, climate monitoring, and search-and-rescue beacons. As cornerstone polar satellites in the POES constellation, they provided reliable weather satellite imagery for more than two decades, supporting global models, Earth observation research, and a thriving SDR and ham radio hobbyist ecosystem decoding APT and HRPT signals.

Why Are These POES Satellites Being Retired?

After years of service, subsystem wear, instrument degradation, and transmission issues have escalated, making operations less predictable. With modern replacements online, NOAA is transitioning from legacy POES to the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). This shift ensures higher reliability and resolution for operational forecasting, even as it accelerates the weather satellite shutdown timeline for NOAA-15 and NOAA-19.

Impact for Weather Enthusiasts, SDR Users, and Data Consumers

For the weather satellite community, the retirement of NOAA-15 and NOAA-19 reduces access to live analog APT weather imagery at 137 MHz that many users decode with low-cost SDR receivers. While operational agencies benefit from JPSS advancements, hobbyists will see fewer opportunities for direct POES reception. Guides, antennas, and decoding workflows centered on POES APT will become legacy, prompting a move toward HRPT, JPSS data pathways, or alternative Earth observation sources.

Timeline and Key Decommissioning Dates

• NOAA-15 decommissioning: August 12, 2025.
• NOAA-19 decommissioning: August 19, 2025.
• POES operational data has ended; remaining transmissions are considered “data of opportunity” and are not maintained for operations.

The Future of Polar Weather Data: From POES to JPSS

The JPSS era delivers improved radiometry, better geolocation, and resilient operations that enhance global forecasting and climate analytics. For end users, this means more accurate model inputs and higher-quality Earth observation products. For hobbyists, the pivot suggests investing in equipment and workflows aligned with digital weather satellite data and higher-bandwidth reception chains, as classic POES satellite APT signals sunset.

How to Prepare: Practical Steps for the Community

• Archive your best APT weather imagery from NOAA-15 and NOAA-19 to preserve the POES legacy.
• Explore JPSS-related datasets and tools as successors to POES-era reception and processing.
• Evaluate antennas, LNAs, and receivers suitable for HRPT/LRPT or modern digital weather satellite workflows.
• Follow official NOAA and satellite operations channels for updates on polar satellites and transition guidance.

Final Thoughts: Celebrating the POES Legacy

The NOAA-15 decommissioning and NOAA-19 decommissioning represent both a farewell to a foundational system and a transition toward the future of Earth observation. The POES constellation defined an era of accessible weather satellite imagery, empowering amateurs, educators, and professionals alike. As the community embraces JPSS and next-generation missions, the legacy of POES will continue to influence how we observe and understand our planet.