The Objectives of the polar-orbiting system program are to continue procurement of the spacecraft , instruments, launch services, and ground equipment necessary to maintain an uninterrupted operational polar-orbiting satellite system.

Managing and operating the converged National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) is also included in this element. In FY 1995, a Triagency (NOAA, DOD, and NASA) Integrated Program office began the system, which will succeed the current NOAA polar-orbiting environmental satellite system and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) of the Department of Defense.