Posted on 06/24/2002 11:15:15 AM PDT by ZGuy
Launch carried live on NASA TV in 6 minutes. See the link to the NASA TV feed on the source URL webpage
(http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/launches/next_launch.html)
A refurbished Air Force Titan 2 missile will be used as a space launch vehicle to carry the NOAA-M weather satellite into polar orbit on a mission managed by NASA.
Yet another TIROS weather satellite. #17 or so.
THE NOAA POLAR-ORBITING SATELLITES The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have jointly developed a valuable series of polar-orbiting Earth environmental observation satellites since 1978. These satellites provide global data to NOAA¿s short and long-range weather forecasting systems. NOAA¿s polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite system consists of two primary in orbit satellites. Operating as a pair, these satellites ensure that environmental data, for any region of the Earth, is no more than six hours old. These polar-orbiting satellites have not only provided cost-effective data for very immediate and real-time needs but also for extensive climate and research programs. The satellite data (including images often seen on television news programs) provide global information to all of the major weather forecasting agencies throughout the world, and direct-read-out data to thousands of individual users. NOAA-M is the latest in the advanced TIROS-N (ATN) series built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC). The environmental monitoring instruments carried on the spacecraft will continue to support: imaging and measurement of the Earth¿s atmosphere, its surface and cloud cover, including Earth radiation; atmospheric ozone; aerosol distribution; sea surface temperature; vertical temperature and water profiles in the troposphere and stratosphere; measurement of proton and electron flux at orbit altitude; remote platform data collection; and Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT). Additionally NOAA-M is the third in the series to support dedicated microwave instruments for the generation of temperature, moisture, surface and hydrological products in cloudy regions where visible and infrared instruments have limited capability. The NOAA-M primary instruments have been designed for a three-year mission. Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR/3) The AVHRR measures reflected solar (visible and near-IR) energy and radiated thermal (IR) energy from land, sea, clouds, and the intervening atmosphere. The data from this instrument is used to provide snow, ice, and cloud discrimination, sea surface temperatures, and vegetation conditions. High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS/3) The HIRS measures scene radiance in the infrared spectrum. Data from the instrument is used in conjunction with the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) instruments, to calculate the atmosphere¿s vertical temperature profile from the Earth¿s surface to about 40 km (24.9 mi) altitude. The data is also used to determine ocean surface temperatures, total atmospheric ozone levels, precipitable water, cloud height and coverage, and surface radiance. Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) The AMSU-A measures scene radiance in the microwave spectrum. The data from this instrument is used in conjunction with the HIRS to calculate the global atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles from the Earth¿s surface to about 40 km (24.9 mi). The data is used to provide precipitation and surface measurements including snow cover, sea ice concentration, and soil moisture. Microwave sensing permits such measurements even in the presence of clouds. Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B (AMSU-B) The AMSU-B also measures scene radiance in the microwave spectrum. The data from this instrument is used to calculate vertical water vapor profiles from the Earth¿s surface to about 12 km (7.5 mi). Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Radiometer (SBUV/2) The SBUV/2 measures solar irradiance and Earth radiance (backscattered solar energy) in the near ultraviolet spectrum. The data is used to derive the global ozone concentration in the stratosphere, the vertical distribution of atmospheric ozone, the long-term solar spectral irradiance, the photochemical processes and the influence of ¿trace¿ constituents on the ozone layer. Space Environ
Too gray and dreary - couldn't see a thing. Sounded good, though.
Oooh, pet peeve! It's Vandenberg AFB. I grew up right next to it.
Have been out of "Lomptown" and in beautiful Simi Valley CA a couple hours south for many years now
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