NASA Polar Observation Satellite Preparing for Launch

On Tuesday, 30 August 2011, NASA's next Earth-observing research satellite arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California (USA) to begin preparations for an October launch. The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) is the first of a new generation of satellites that will observe many facets of our changing Earth. With NPP, NASA continues many key data records initiated by the agency's Earth Observing System satellites by monitoring changes occurring in the atmosphere, oceans, vegetation, ice and solid Earth. 

The satellite will collect critical data to improve our understanding of long-term climate change and short-term weather conditions.

 

The NPP spacecraft will undergo prelaunch processing at Vandenberg, including a solar array functional test, a spacecraft limited performance test, and testing of the science instruments. Following these tests and a spacecraft launch simulation, the satellite will be fuelled with its attitude control propellant.

 

NPP will be launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta II 7920 expendable launch vehicle. The Delta II first stage was hoisted into position on the pad at NASA's Space Launch Complex 2 on 20 July 2011. By 2 August 2011, the nine solid rocket boosters were attached, and the second stage was hoisted atop the first stage. Launch vehicle testing is under way.

 

The NPP spacecraft is scheduled to move to the pad and be mated with the rocket on 7 October 2011. Launch is scheduled for 25 October 2011 during a 9-minute and 10-second launch window from 5:48:01 to 5:57:11 a.m. EDT. The Delta II will place the satellite into a 512-mile high circular polar orbit.

 

NPP is the first satellite mission to address the challenge of acquiring a wide range of land, ocean, and atmospheric measurements for Earth system science while simultaneously preparing to address operational requirements for weather forecasting.

 

NPP serves as a bridge between NASA's Earth Observing System of satellites and the forthcoming Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). Previously called the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, JPSS satellites will be developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

 

NPP will carry five science instruments and test key technologies for the JPSS missions. Data from NPP will help scientists ensure a continuous record of environmental satellite data and also contribute to weather forecasting efforts. NOAA meteorologists will incorporate NPP data into their weather prediction models to produce accurate forecasts and warnings that will help emergency responders monitor and react to natural disasters.