Jacques van Oene
May 20th 05, 07:07 PM
Boeing Delta II Launches NOAA Advanced Earth-Observing Satellite
ST. LOUIS, May 20 , 2005 - A Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II rocket successfully
launched the latest satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) today.
The Delta II rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg
Air Force Base, Calif. , at 3:22 a.m. PDT carrying the NOAA-N
Earth-observing satellite. Following a nominal 65-minute flight, the rocket
deployed the spacecraft to a circular orbit with a Sun-synchronous
inclination.
The satellite will collect data on Earth's atmosphere, surface and cloud
cover for the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service
(NESDIS).
"Satellites such as NOAA-N are critical to the continual monitoring and data
collection of weather and surface activities here on Earth," said Dan
Collins, vice president of Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "Our Delta team
did an exceptional job preparing this important mission, marking our first
West Coast launch this year."
The NOAA-N spacecraft is equipped with advanced instruments to provide
improved weather forecasting and monitor environmental events worldwide. It
is the fourth in the series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved
imaging and sounding capabilities. The satellite will collect and transmit
meteorological data to NOAA's NESDIS for the National Weather Service.
NOAA-N will also support the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking
System to monitor distress signals worldwide.
The three-stage Delta II launch vehicle used for today's mission featured a
Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine, an Aerojet AJ10-118K second-stage engine, a
Thiokol Star 48B third-stage motor, three Alliant Techsystems solid rocket
motors, and a 10-foot diameter composite payload fairing.
NOAA-N was launched on behalf of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center's Polar
Operational Environmental Satellite program. The spacecraft was built by
Lockheed Martin Space Systems.
The next Delta launch will either be the GPS IIR-14 mission aboard a Delta
II rocket or the GOES-N mission aboard a Delta IV rocket. Both are being
assigned launch dates from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of
the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis
, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides
network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and
commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft
manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading
provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for
U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in
sustainment solutions and launch services.
###
Contact:
Robert Villanueva
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
(714) 372-2089 Office
Paula Shawa
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
(714) 372-1694 Office
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info
ST. LOUIS, May 20 , 2005 - A Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II rocket successfully
launched the latest satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) today.
The Delta II rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg
Air Force Base, Calif. , at 3:22 a.m. PDT carrying the NOAA-N
Earth-observing satellite. Following a nominal 65-minute flight, the rocket
deployed the spacecraft to a circular orbit with a Sun-synchronous
inclination.
The satellite will collect data on Earth's atmosphere, surface and cloud
cover for the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service
(NESDIS).
"Satellites such as NOAA-N are critical to the continual monitoring and data
collection of weather and surface activities here on Earth," said Dan
Collins, vice president of Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "Our Delta team
did an exceptional job preparing this important mission, marking our first
West Coast launch this year."
The NOAA-N spacecraft is equipped with advanced instruments to provide
improved weather forecasting and monitor environmental events worldwide. It
is the fourth in the series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved
imaging and sounding capabilities. The satellite will collect and transmit
meteorological data to NOAA's NESDIS for the National Weather Service.
NOAA-N will also support the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking
System to monitor distress signals worldwide.
The three-stage Delta II launch vehicle used for today's mission featured a
Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine, an Aerojet AJ10-118K second-stage engine, a
Thiokol Star 48B third-stage motor, three Alliant Techsystems solid rocket
motors, and a 10-foot diameter composite payload fairing.
NOAA-N was launched on behalf of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center's Polar
Operational Environmental Satellite program. The spacecraft was built by
Lockheed Martin Space Systems.
The next Delta launch will either be the GPS IIR-14 mission aboard a Delta
II rocket or the GOES-N mission aboard a Delta IV rocket. Both are being
assigned launch dates from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of
the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis
, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides
network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and
commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft
manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading
provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for
U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in
sustainment solutions and launch services.
###
Contact:
Robert Villanueva
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
(714) 372-2089 Office
Paula Shawa
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
(714) 372-1694 Office
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info