NOAA 2 was the first in a series of reconfigured ITOS-M satellites launched with new meteorological sensors on board to expand the operational capability of the ITOS system.

The primary objective of NOAA 2 was to provide global daytime and nighttime direct readout real-time cloud cover data on a daily basis.

The Sun-synchronous spacecraft was also capable of supplying global atmospheric temperature soundings and very high resolution infrared cloudcover data for selected areas in either a direct readout or a tape-recorder mode.

The NOAA 2 dynamics and attitude control system maintained desired spacecraft orientation through gyroscopic principles incorporated into the satellite design.

[8] As of January 11, 2023 the satellite continues to broadcast this sync signal,[9] and software made by Alexandre Rouma ON5RYZ/KE8SUI and Jacopo IU1QPT is available for decoding.