Weather satellite scheduled to lift off:Launch is set for 2:54 a.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The Orange County Register ^ | May 3, 2002 | GARY ROBBINS

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

NASA's Aqua satellite is scheduled to soar into orbit early Saturday, carrying instruments designed to significantly improve short- and mid-term weather forecasts and expand science's understanding of climate systems, particularly Earth's water cycles.

The $952 million spacecraft features a unique sounder that will take unprecedented temperature and humidity readings at various levels of the atmosphere.

[RJL]

expand science's understanding of climate systems

I wonder if this satellite has any hidden and unknown "tests", ala the Lynx hairs, that will skew data to prove global warming.

[Dog Gone]

Do these launches from Vandenberg violate California's new air quality standards?

[r9etb]

Do these launches from Vandenberg violate California's new air quality standards?

I worked a mission a few years back that was delayed for weeks due to winds coming off the ocean. The "air quality standard" in question was possibility that the 50-lb covers for the air-lit solid rockets would land on Lompoc....

[Dog Gone]

Okay, that kind of air quality concern I can understand. ;-)

[dead]

There is no need to skew weather data to prove global warming, as all data conclusively proves the theory.

That's the beauty of it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

LOL!!

Thanks!

[galt-jw]

well, 2:54 AM is a time when little attention would be present. after all, if nasa, etc wanted good pr, scheduling expensive flights when no one is assured to be present is the opposite of what smart folks do (and smart folks includes rocket scientists.) this is done for a reason, yet I'm sure it's just a coincindence.