The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) was a joint program of the Air Force, NOAA, and NASA. Its polar-orbiting satellites were to provide long-term systematic measurements of key environmental variables for weather forecasting as well as climate studies. In February 2010, NPOESS was split into two programs. The Air Force-managed component will build satellites for the morning orbit, serving military needs. The NASA-managed civilian component, called the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), will build satellites to fly in afternoon orbits, and will be operated by NOAA.