NASA today launched a next-generation satellite into space designed to monitor weather around the world and help improve forecasts. <br/><br/>The satellite, called the Joint Polar Satellite System-1, is a joint venture between the US space agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provides weather reports and forecasts.<br/><br/>The satellite will orbit the Earth 14 times each day from one pole to the other at 824 kms above the planet, providing scientists full global coverage twice a day.<br/><br/>NASA said, the satellite is the first in NOAA's series of four, next-generation operational environmental satellites representing major advancements in observations used for severe weather prediction and environmental monitoring.