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
