The Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) is the third Earth Observing (EO3) mission in NASA's New Millennium Program (NMP). The NMP's goal is to develop and certify new instruments and technologies to be used in future space missions for commercial and scientific applications.

The instrument will demonstrate new techniques for measuring the temperature, wind, water vapor and chemical compositions of the atmosphere. The GIFTS concept promises to greatly improve weather and climate analysis and predictions, supporting the NASA Earth science goal of understanding the Earth's water cycle.