Live on NASA TV -- Launch of the NOAA-N Satellite in 80 minutes

The NOAA-N Prime spacecraft is set to launch just hours from now from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The countdown is proceeding smoothly and on track for an on-time liftoff this morning aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at 2:22 a.m. Pacific time, 5:22 a.m. Eastern time. It appears the time has been changed to approximately 1:40 a.m. PST

A weather briefing update will be held at T-95 minutes in the launch countdown.

The countdown and launch are managed by the NASA Launch Services Program office at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.


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The NOAA-N Prime Mission

The NOAA-N Prime satellite, built for NASA by Lockheed Martin, will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. NOAA-N Prime is the fifth and last in the current series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities.

The satellite will collect meteorological data and transmit the information to NOAA's Satellite and Information Service, which processes the data for input to the National Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts. Forecasters worldwide also will be able to access the satellite's images and data.

NOAA-N Prime has sensors that will be used in the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System to monitor for distress signals around the world.

NOAA-N Prime Update

NOAA-N Prime Mission Overview

NASA TV Live Coverage

I always love watching a rocket launch, and I figured you guys would, too! I know it's late, and most of you are probably not up -- wait a second.... we're ATS nerds, I'm sure plenty of you are up as well. What else to do when you're girlfriend/wife is in bed sleeping. T-minus approximately 70 minutes.

[edit on 2/6/2009 by pjslug]

reply to post by pjslug


Thanks for the info pjslug.

I shall watch that with interest as I also enjoy the spectacle of rocket launches.

Hopefully it will also be on NASA TV on my cable.

Damn, I was just about to go to bed... Now you got me hooked.

Thanks for the heads up.

Does anyone know what the smoke is coming out of the side of the rocket?

I assume it isn't steam powered.

Cool, Great timing, just took my boy to school( I m in the UK) thanks for the heads up, I deffo be watching this, Hope you are not to tired my U.S friends

reply to post by schrodingers dog


They are filling the tanks. It's the venting of the excess of the extremely super-cold, under pressure, liquid oxygen, I believe. You are seeing some of it evaporate as a gas.

[edit on 2/6/2009 by pjslug]

reply to post by pjslug


Thanks for the info.

Btw, I see that you're not too far from the launch location.
Are you going to go outside to try and see it?

Testing the rockets. It's obvious that they should move but to actually see the yaw control tests...


Groovy!

Hmm another 10 minute hold coming up at T minus 4 minutes - I guess I'm up for the duration now.

I noticed my internet feed is a few seconds delayed compared to my Directv.

I hope they have some cameras onboard the rocket so we can ride up like we do with the shuttle tank.

It's almost launch time! I doubt I would be able to see it in the skies from here. First of all, I'm 141 miles away from Vandenberg. Secondly, we've had pouring rains all day and the skies are extremely cloudy. But I will go and look. I think launch time is in 9 minutes.

1 minute to T-minus 4.00.1

Oh man, they're back to T-39.

I'm losing interest now.

reply to post by schrodingers dog


No they aren't. They are in the final 4 minute countdown to launch.

T-Minus 3 to launch

reply to post by schrodingers dog


I just heard 2 1/2 minutes to launch

reply to post by pjslug


Oh you're right, my streaming went loopy.

T-Minus 1 minute to launch.. Get ready folks. Here it goes!!!

And there she goes!!! YAY a new weather satellite!!

2nd line here


Cheers!!!!

Where are they filming from?

Or does "satellite tool kit" mean computer generated?

I ran outside, just to check. I got soaked, and I saw nothing.

Bummer.