* Astronomy

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Home -> Astronomy News -> Mission News -> Delta II rocket launch
Post Info TOPIC: Delta II rocket launch
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
RE: NOAA-18 photo
Permalink  
 

NOAA satellite image of Russia and the Arctic Ocean taken on May 20, 2005, at 15:14 GMT. This is the first image produced by the NOAA-18 polar-orbiting satellite a few hours after being launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.



The NOAA-N satellite—now designated NOAA-18—is critical in the development of a global Earth observation program and improving NOAAs weather and climate forecasts and search & rescue operations.
The launch also starts a new era of international cooperation.
Under an agreement between NOAA and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), NOAA will provide NOAA-18 and a later satellite, NOAA-N Prime, for an afternoon orbit of the globe and carry a EUMETSAT instrument.
In return, EUMETSAT will provide and launch three European-built satellites, called Metop, into morning orbits during the next 10 years, carrying key NOAA instruments. The first Metop launch is scheduled for April 2006.

NOAA-18 replaces NOAA-16, a POES spacecraft that had been in operation since September 2000, and joins NOAA-17, launched in June 2002.
NOAA maintains a constellation of two primary polar-orbiting satellites at any time. The global data from these satellites are used extensively in NOAAs weather and climate prediction numerical models.

Link:


__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
RE: Delta II rocket launch
Permalink  
 

Launch!
The Delta 2 lifted off without a problem at 10:22 GMT 20 May 2005...

Slight wind gusts late in the countdown caused some glitches with the guidance system, but the launch team was able to resolve that issue and get the rocket off the ground at the opening of its 10-minute launch window

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

NOAA-N will launch no earlier than 10:22 GMT, Friday, May 20. The satellite has a 10-minute launch window.

After the launch attempt last Thursday, a vent hose in the launch vehicle broke loose possibly causing contamination of the payload. Samples must be taken from NOAA-N to ensure any possible contaminants do not exceed allowable limits. Launch managers will review test results before announcing a definite launch date.

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

Blustery winds prosponed the launch on Thursday.
This is the second time high winds have delayed the launch of the weather satellite. The launch was rescheduled for Friday at 1022 GMT. Wind speeds must be below 29 knots before launch can take place.
The launch of a global weather-tracking satellite was scrubbed early Friday because of problems that shut down crucial launch pad equipment.
It was the third delay in as many days.
The countdown was halted 2 1/2 hours before takeoff because one of four pumps that flood the pad with a cushion of water during rocket ignition failed. An electrical system for the pump house also failed, making it impossible to use the other pumps. The launch is rescheduled for 10:22 GMT Saturday at the earliest while technicians tried to determine what caused the problems.
The $341 million mission has been postponed for a fourth time.
The mission will now be delayed four days to await the next acceptable orbital mechanics window for placement of the NOAA-N weather satellite into space. NOAA-N will launch no earlier than 10:22 GMT, Friday, May 20. The satellite has a 10-minute launch window.
After the launch attempt last Thursday, a vent hose in the launch vehicle broke loose possibly causing contamination of the payload. Samples must be taken from NOAA-N to ensure any possible contaminants do not exceed allowable limits. Launch managers will review test results before announcing a definite launch date.



-- Edited by Blobrana at 21:13, 2005-05-20

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

The launch of a global weather-tracking satellite was scrubbed early Friday because of problems that shut down crucial launch pad equipment.
It was the third delay in as many days.
The countdown was halted 2 1/2 hours before takeoff because one of four pumps that flood the pad with a cushion of water during rocket ignition failed.
An electrical system for the pump house also failed, making it impossible to use the other pumps.
The launch is rescheduled for 10:22 GMT Saturday at the earliest while technicians tried to determine what caused the problems.


__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

A Delta II rocket launch was set for a Wednesday, May 11, from the Vandenberg Air Force Base.
However, NASA called off the morning's planned launch because high winds prevented rollback of the service tower surrounding the Delta 2 rocket. The same thing happened Thursday night.
The Delta II rocket launch will launch the NOAA-N satellite, the latest in the series of advanced TIROS-N (ATN) orbiting platforms. The spacecraft's enhanced instruments will support multiple Earth-observing tasks.
NOAA-N will replace NOAA-16, in operation since September 2000, and join NOAA-17, launched in June 2002. Once in orbit, NOAA-N will be renamed NOAA-18.
There is a new 10-minute launch window on Friday at 1022 GMT.


__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Home -> Astronomy News -> Mission News -> Delta II rocket launch


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard