1. EARTH ORIENTED SPACECRAFT - Allows for more efficient duty cycles of imager and sounder which yield higher spatial resolution and improved signal to noise
   
   
2. IMPROVED MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING CAPABILITY - A five channel high resolution imager which allows for improvement in present services as well as the development of a number of advanced products
   
   
3. IMPROVED SOUNDING CAPABILITY - A dedicated 19 channel sounder with improved radiometric performance which allows for more frequent and accurate temperature and moisture profiles over the United States
   
   
4. SEPARATE SOUNDING AND IMAGING - Conflicts in scheduling between the imager and sounder which had previously existed are eliminated, allowing maximum utilization of each sensor
   
   
5. NEW GROUND DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM - Allows for more efficient dissemination of data and products to users from this improved satellite sensing system
   
   
6. DIFFERENT DATA TRANSMISSION FORMATS TO DIRECT RECEIVE USERS - Allows direct receive users access to entire dataset at reasonable cost, with potential for growth