Delta II Scheduled To Light Morning Sky At Vandenberg
30th Space Wing Public Affairs Vandenberg AFB CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2009 A Delta II is scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex-2 here, during a window of 2 to 3 a.m. Wednesday. The rocket will carry the NOAA-N Prime polar-orbiting weather satellite for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 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, according to NASA "During a launch Vandenberg command and control the Western Range to ensure mission success of Delta II NOAA-N consistent with mission requirements and flight safety constraints." Team Vandenberg will be supporting the launch up until the Delta II leaves the Western Range, a range that is calculated to a half of a second. "At 448.5 seconds we have safely reached the end of Vandenberg's mission," said Captain Sweeney. "At that point our commercial partners take over. This allows us to have the ability to destroy to rocket if we feel there is a potential threat to the Central Coast's population. No matter how important a payload is to science or whatever, our number one priority is the safety of the community around us. " When liftoff approaches the people from miles around Vandenberg will be able to see the hard work, long hours and mission dedication that Team Vandenberg puts in to not only help the Air Force, but the global populace. The series of weather satellites that have launched from Vandenberg will not end natural disasters, but they will bring us closer to understanding them, which in return means more preparation time to save lives. Related Links - Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
One Launch Down, Twenty To Go For USAF In 2009 Patrick AFB FL (AFNS) Jan 24, 2009 Well, one launch down - and if the current range launch schedule is correct - we have a lot more to go. By now, I'm sure you know we successfully launched a Delta 4 rocket from launch pad 37B last Saturday night at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. |
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