Feb 6, 2009

George H Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 george h diller@nasa gov

Cynthia M O'Carroll Goddard Space Flight Center 301-286-4647 cynthia m ocarroll@nasa gov

John Leslie NOAA National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service 301-713-2087 john leslie@noaa gov

RELEASE: 09-13

NOAA-N PRIME ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif -- A new environmental satellite that will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world soared into space this morning after a picture-perfect launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA-N Prime spacecraft lifted off at 2:22 a m PST aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from NASA's Space Launch Complex 2 Approximately 65 minutes later, the spacecraft separated from the Delta II Space Launch Vehicle

Shortly after liftoff, flight controllers tracked the launch vehicle's progress using real-time telemetry data relayed through NASA's Tracking and Date Relay Satellite System NOAA-N Prime was in a power positive mode with its solar array deployed approximately five minutes after spacecraft separation NOAA-N Prime was renamed NOAA-19 after achieving orbit

"NOAA-19 is in a nominal orbit with all spacecraft systems functioning properly," stated Wayne McIntyre, the NASA POES Project Manager "The NASA/NOAA partnership continues to produce enormous results with environmental missions, now exceeding more than three decades "

NOAA-19 is the fifth in a series of five Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) with advanced microwave sounding instruments that provide imaging and sounding capabilities As it orbits the Earth, NOAA-N Prime will collect data about the Earth's surface and atmosphere that are vital inputs to NOAA's weather forecasts

NOAA-N Prime has instruments that support the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System (SARSAT), part of the international satellite system that includes the Russian provided satellites (COSPAS) Since SARSAT was established in 1982, NOAA polar-orbiting satellites have been detecting emergency distress beacons set by aviators, mariners and individuals in remote locations and relaying them to ground stations so that rescue teams may be dispatched More than 24,500 lives have been saved through the satellite based Search and Rescue system to date

NOAA-N Prime will replace NOAA-18 in a 2:00 p m local solar time orbit as the primary afternoon spacecraft NOAA-N Prime will carry the same primary instruments as NOAA-18 plus an Advanced Data Collection System and an improved Search and Rescue Processor provided by France

NOAA-N Prime is the sixteenth and last satellite in a series of polar-orbiting satellites dating back to 1978 A new generation of environmental satellites called the National Polar Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) will become operational after the POES satellites complete their mission NPOESS is a tri-agency (NOAA, U S Department of Defense, NASA) program NPOESS will provide more capable sensors for improved data collection and better weather forecasts beginning in 2013

NOAA manages the polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite program and establishes requirements, provides all funding and distributes environmental satellite data for the United States NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md , procures and manages the development and launch of the satellites for NOAA on a cost reimbursable basis

NOAA-N Prime integration with the Delta II, countdown and launch management is the responsibility of the NASA Launch Services Program headquartered at the Kennedy Space Center

Twenty-one days after it is launched, NASA will transfer operational control of NOAA-19 to NOAA NASA's comprehensive on-orbit verification period is expected to last approximately 45 days after launch

For more information about NOAA-N Prime and the polar-orbiting satellites, see the following Web sites:

http://www nasa gov/noaa-n-prime

http://www osd noaa gov/POES/noaa_n_prime htm

http://nws noaa gov

-end-

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