The launch of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spacecraft is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The NOAA-K spacecraft aboard a Titan II launch vehicle is targeted to lift off at the opening of a launch window at 8:52 a.m. PDT (11:52 a.m. EDT). The launch window extends for approximately 10 minutes.
The NOAA-K satellite will improve weather forecasting and monitor
environmental events around the world. NOAA-K is the first in a series of
five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding
capabilities that will operate over the next twelve years. Like other
NOAA satellites, NOAA-K will collect meteorological data and transmit the
information to users around the world to enhance weather forecasting. In
the United States, the data will be used primarily by NOAA's National
Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts. The
satellite will continue the support of the international COSPAS-SARSAT
system by providing search and rescue capabilities essential for detection
and location of ships, aircraft, and people in distress.
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. is responsible for the construction, integration, launch and verification testing of the spacecraft, instruments and unique ground equipment. NASA turns operational control of the spacecraft over to NOAA after a comprehensive on-orbit verification period, which is expected to last approximately 60 days. The spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., under contract to Goddard.
Data from the NOAA spacecraft are used by researchers within
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, a long-term research program designed to
study Earth's land, oceans, atmosphere, ice and life as a total integrated
system. In addition these data are helping NASA scientists design
instruments for follow-on missions.
NASA TV
Launch coverage on NASA Television will begin at 8:30 a.m. PDT
(11:30 a.m. EDT) and continue through separation from the Titan II
vehicle. Live NOAA-K launch commentary will be available on the "V" audio
circuits which may be dialed at 407-867-1220, 1240 or 1260. NASA
Television is on GE-2, Transponder 9C located at 85 degrees West
longitude.
