Satellite sensor errors cause data outage

Arctic Sea Ice News & Analysis ^ | 18 Feb. 2009 | NA

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Not sure what this one does,...just recently launched:

NOAA-N Prime Environmental Satellite Launched

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by Staff Writers
Vandenberg AFB CA (SPX) Feb 09, 2009
A new environmental satellite that will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world soared into space 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 SLV.

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.

[Moonman62]

This was probably due to gravitational fluctuations caused by the movement of Al Gore.

[TYVets]

ping