DELTA II LAUNCH SCHEDULED
Vandenberg AFB News Advisory
2009 January 30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A Delta II rocket is scheduled to
launch from Space Launch Complex-2 here, Wednesday.

The rocket will be carrying NOAA-N Prime polar-orbiting weather
satellite for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.

Col. Dave Buck, 30th Space Wing commander, will be the western range
launch decision authority for this mission.

The NOAA-N Prime satellite will improve weather forecasting and monitor
environmental events around the world, according to the NASA website.
NOAA-N Prime is the fifth and last in the current series of five
polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding
capabilities.

The satellite will collect meteorological data and transmit the
information to NOAA's Satellite and Information Service, which processes
the data for input to the National Weather Service for its long-range
weather and climate forecasts, according to NASA. Forecasters worldwide
also will be able to access the satellite's images and data.

NOAA-N Prime has sensors that will be used in the Search and Rescue
Satellite-Aided Tracking System to monitor for distress signals around
the world.