NPP-Bridge, AubieSat, попутчики - Delta II 7920 - Vandenberg SLC-2W - 28.10.11 09:48 UTC

[Salo]

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2011/elvstatus-20110721_prt.htm

Spacecraft: NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920
Launch Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 2
Launch Date: Oct. 25, 2011
Launch Window: 2:47:35 a.m. - 2:57:35 a.m. PDT

At Space Launch Complex 2, the Delta II first stage was hoisted into position in the launcher and secured on July 20. The three solid rocket boosters will be attached July 27-29. The second stage will be hoisted atop the first stage on Aug. 1.

The payload fairing was hoisted into the mobile service tower on July 19 where it will be stored until the NPP spacecraft arrives at the pad in October.[/size]

[интересующийся]

А ведь это крайний запуск "Дельты-2", кажись! Просто год прощаний с целыми эпохами американских носителей получается.

[Salo]

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2011/elvstatus-20110803.html

Spacecraft: NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920
Launch Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 2
Launch Date: Oct. 25, 2011
Launch Window: 5:47:35 a.m. - 5:57:35 a.m. EDT

At Space Launch Complex 2, work to erect and attach the three solid rocket boosters to the first stage began July 27 and was completed Aug. 1. The second stage will be hoisted atop the first stage Aug. 2.[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d357/110831arrival.html

Climate satellite moves to California launch base[/size]
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: September 1, 2011

Bookmark and Share

An advanced polar-orbiting weather observatory took a 1,600-mile roadtrip from Colorado to California this week, arriving at the satellite's Vandenberg Air Force Base launch site after the 40-hour journey.


The environmentally controlled transportation container holding the NPP satellite arrives outside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Credit: NASA
 
A crew of 16 people including team members from satellite-builder Ball Aerospace and NASA's project group escorted the spacecraft on the long-awaited shipment.

"It was a good trip, no incidents," said Scott Tennant, Ball's program manager. "The guys commented...one-lane construction zones are kind of an adventure when you have a wide payload."

Valued at $1.5 billion, the satellite's mission will continue global weather monitoring and climate data records while covering virtually the entire planet twice per day from its 512-mile-high polar orbit.

Its launch atop a Delta 2 rocket is scheduled for October 25 during a 9-minute window opening at 2:48 a.m. local time (5:48 a.m. EDT).

Originally named the NPOESS Preparatory Project, this satellite was supposed to be the testbed for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) that would combine the civilian and U.S. military weather spacecraft into a single program, an effort started by the Clinton Administration in 1994.

But the new system was beset by technical and money woes, ultimately leading to the cancellation of NPOESS last year.

That leaves this satellite -- which now goes only by the name "NPP" -- to become a true gapfiller in serving the needs of meteorologists over the next several years.

"It started off as more of pathfinder for the big NPOESS missions and has now taken on a little bit of an operational bend," said Tennant.

In the wake of the killing NPOESS and scrapping the idea of merging civilian and military satellite programs, the two are once again divided and developing their own next-generation systems.

Plans now call for a clone of NPP to be built and launched later this decade under the revised civilian satellite system.


An artist's concept of NPP in orbit. Credit: Ryan Zuber, Scientific Visualization Studio
 
Users of data from the polar-orbiting satellites are wide ranging. Meteorologists generate weather predictions, agricultural scientists need the information for drought management and monitoring vegetation and soil moisture and even the aviation community relies on the spacecraft to detect and track volcanic ash plumes for re-routing of aircraft.

NPP carries five instruments that provide imagery, atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, and land and ocean surface temperature observations, all of which are key ingredients for weather forecasting. In addition, the satellite will measure ozone levels and reflected solar radiation from the planet.

Construction of NPP's core structure was completed in 2005. But waiting on its advanced instruments and a final clearance to fly forced an exceptionally long hold in the countdown to launch.

Weighing 4,700 pounds, NPP was tucked into a special transport container and finally shipped out of Ball's satellite factory on Sunday.

There's been celebrations on both ends of the trip.

"We had a big tailgate party when we left," said Tennant. "And the guys had a nice barbecue for us out here. It's been a very, very pleasant welcome. Overdue. Fantastic. Can't believe we're here."

Now inside the commercially-run Astrotech processing hangar on North Vandenberg, the satellite will undergo final confidence-building functional tests, removal of instrument covers and the loading of 800 pounds of maneuvering propellant before going to the launch pad on October 7.

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket has been stacked atop the SLC-2 West pad in preparation for blastoff. The two-stage launcher is equipped with nine strap-on solid-fuel boosters to haul the payload into orbit.

"We have 9 days of margin in our schedule between the time we finish with all of our operations prior to getting installed on the launch vehicle," said Scott Compton, NPP integration and test manager at Ball. "It's looking very good."

Once in space, NPP will unfurl its power-generating solar array and begin a three-month commissioning period before entering service, Tennant said.[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/NPP/news/cali-arrive.html

On Tuesday, Aug. 30, NASA's next earth-observing research satellite arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California 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.

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

On Aug. 28, NPP was placed in a shipping container and loaded on a transport truck at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. in Boulder, Colo. After Tuesday's arrival, the satellite was unloaded and moved into the clean room at the AstroTech facility for launch preparation.

"The NPP team has produced an outstanding satellite and kept to schedule over the past year and a half," said Ken Schwer, NPP project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "The world is looking forward to NPP's scientific measurements."

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 fueled 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 July 20. By Aug. 2, 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 Oct. 7. Launch is scheduled for Oct. 25 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.

Goddard manages the NPP mission on behalf of the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The JPSS program is providing the ground system for NPP. NOAA will provide operational support for the mission. Launch management is the responsibility of the NASA Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

[Salo]

http://robomaniac.com.ua/news/Research/NASA_NPP_Satellite_Earth_Browser_arrived_in_California_to_start_news.html

НАСА: NPP Спутник-обозреватель Земли прибыл в Калифорнию для запуска

ВАШИНГТОН: Во вторник, 30 августа исследовательский спутник наблюдения Земли НАСА (NASA) прибыл на авиабазу Ванденберг (Vandenberg) в Калифорнию, чтобы начать подготовку к запуску в октябре.

Проект подготовки Национальной полярно-орбитальной спутниковой системы (NPP) является первым из нового поколения спутников, которые будут наблюдать за многими аспектами нашей изменяющейся Земли. Спутник будет собирать самые важные данные, чтобы улучшить наше понимание долгосрочных изменений климата и краткосрочных погодных условий. С NPP, НАСА продолжает многих ключевых записей данных под инициативой Агентства наблюдений Земли, которое осуществляет наблюдения за спутниками, отслеживая изменения, происходящие в атмосфере, океане, растительности, ледяной и твердой поверхности Земли. 28 августа NPP был помещен в контейнер и погружен на перевозное устройство компании Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp в г. Боулдер, штат Колорадо. После прибытия во вторник, спутник был выгружен и переехал в специально подготовленную очистительную кабину Astrotech, где ведется подготовка к его запуску.

«Команда NPP готовила выдающийся спутник в течение последних полутора года», сказал Кен Швер (Ken Schwer), руководитель проекта Центра космических полетов НАСА Годдарт в Гринбелте, штат Мэриленд , - «Мир с нетерпением ждет научных исследований NPP».

Космический аппарат NPP пройдет предстартовую обработку на станции Ванденберг, в том числе проверку функционирования солнечных батарей, тестирования производительности спутника, а также тестирование научных инструментов. После этих испытаний и моделирования запуска космических аппаратов, спутник будет работать на своем топливе управления в космосе.

NPP будет запущен с ракетоносителя одноразового применения United Launch Alliance Delta II 7920. Delta II на первом этапе становился в положение на площадку Космического стартового комплекса с 2 по 20 июля. 2 августа девять твердотопливных ускорителей ракеты были прикреплены, и на втором этапе ракета была поднята на вершину первой ступени. Проверка ракеты-носителя идет полным ходом.

Космический аппарат NPP должен перейти на площадку и быть сопряжен с ракетой 7 октября. Запуск запланирован на 25 октября во время 9-минутного и 10-секундного стартового запуска с 5:48:01 до 5:57:11 утра. Delta II переместит спутник на 512-мильную полярную орбиту.

NPP служит мостом между системой наблюдения спутников Земли НАСА Полярной спутниковой системой (JPSS). JPSS спутники будут разработаны НАСА для Национального управления океанических и атмосферных исследований (NOAA).

NPP будет перевозить научное оборудование для тестирования ключевых технологий миссий JPSS. Данные NPP помогут ученым обеспечить непрерывные записи экологических спутниковых данных, а также принесут вклад в прогнозирование погодных условий. NOAA метеорологи будут собирать данные для получения точных прогнозов погоды и предупреждений, которые помогут при аварийно-спасательных службах мониторинга и реагирования на стихийные бедствия.

[Salo]

http://cio.gsfc.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2011/elvstatus-20110912_prt.htm

Sept. 12, 2011

Spacecraft: NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920
Launch Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 2
Launch Date: Oct. 25, 2011
Launch Window: 2:48:01 a.m. - 2:57:11 a.m. PDT (9 min., 10 sec.)
Orbital Altitude: 512 miles

At Vandenberg Air Force Base, the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft has completed the Spacecraft Limited Performance Test. A Spacecraft Launch Simulation also has been completed. Instrument testing now is under way, and propulsion system testing also is occurring this week.

With the successful launch of GRAIL at Cape Canaveral, United Launch Alliance team members will be returning to Vandenberg to resume testing of the Delta II for the NPP mission at NASA's Space Launch Complex 2.

NPP represents a critical first step in building the next-generation of Earth-observing satellites. NPP will carry the first of the new sensors developed for this satellite fleet, now known as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) to be launched in 2016. NPP is the bridge between NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites and the forthcoming series of JPSS satellites. The mission will test key technologies and instruments for the JPSS missions.[/size]

[Salo]

http://cio.gsfc.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2011/elvstatus-20110921.html

Sept. 21, 2011

STATUS REPORT : ELV-092111

At Vandenberg Air Force Base, instrument inspection and cleaning of the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft are under way and preparations for fueling the spacecraft have started. Loading of the hydrazine propellant currently is planned for Sept. 23. The NPP spacecraft will be transported to the launch pad for attachment to the Delta II rocket on Oct. 7.

United Launch Alliance team members have returned to Vandenberg from the GRAIL launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and have resumed testing of the Delta II rocket at NASA' s Space Launch Complex 2. Pneumatic system testing is under way on the first and second stages with control system testing scheduled for next week. This will be followed by loading of the first stage with liquid oxygen for a leak check on Sept. 29. It also will serve as a crew certification for the countdown on launch day, Oct. 25.

NPP represents a critical first step in building the next-generation of Earth-observing satellites. NPP will carry the first of the new sensors developed for this satellite fleet, now known as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), to be launched in 2016. NPP is the bridge between NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites and the forthcoming series of JPSS satellites. The mission will test key technologies and instruments for the JPSS missions.[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.spacenews.com/launch/111004-rocket-leaks-delay-npp-launch.html

Tue, 4 October, 2011
Rocket Leaks Delay NPP Launch[/size]
By Dan Leone

    WASHINGTON — Launch of the first next-generation U.S. civil polar-orbiting weather satellite has been pushed back two days after preliftoff tests revealed leaky components in the Delta 2 rocket that will loft the satellite.

    The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) now is scheduled to launch Oct. 27 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The launch window is 2:48 a.m. to 2:57 a.m. local time, NASA and launch provider United Launch Alliance (ULA) said in brief online notes posted Oct. 4.

    Two components, a cracked hydraulic tube and a flexible connection between two exhaust ducts on the rocket, were to blame for the leaks, NASA said in an Oct. 4 statement. The cracked tube has been replaced. The damaged duct connection "is being removed and replaced," NASA said in the statement.

    NPP was conceived as an instrument test bed for the now-canceled National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, a civil-military project involving NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Defense. NPP was elevated to an operational role following delays to that program, which was canceled in 2010.

    NOAA will use the NPP satellite for operational weather forecasting; NASA will use the data for climate monitoring.

    NPP is the final payload scheduled to be launched by the Delta 2, but ULA has five of the vehicles remaining in inventory. NASA on Sept. 30 added the Delta 2 to its NASA Launch Services 2 contract, making the vehicle available to launch agency payloads.[/size]

[instml]

NASA Announces News Briefing On Next Earth Science Launch

WASHINGTON -- NASA will hold a news briefing on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. EDT, on the agency's next Earth-observing satellite mission, the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP), scheduled to launch on Oct. 27 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

NPP is the first of a new generation of satellites that will observe many facets of our changing Earth. The mission will collect critical data to improve our understanding of long-term climate change and short-term weather conditions. With NPP, NASA continues many key data records of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, vegetation, and ice initiated by the agency's Earth Observing System satellites.

The panelists are:
- Andrew Carson, NPP program executive, NASA Headquarters
- Ken Schwer, NPP project manager, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
- Dr. Jim Gleason, NPP project scientist, Goddard Space Flight Center
- Dr. Louis Uccellini, director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Camp Springs, Md.

The briefing will be held in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters, 300 E St. SW, Washington. Reporters unable to attend in person may ask questions from participating NASA centers or by telephone. To participate by phone, reporters must contact Dwayne Brown at 202-358-1726 or dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov by 9 a.m. on Oct. 12.

The news conference will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the NPP mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/npp

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/oct/HQ_M11-208_NPP_HQ_Briefing.html

[Salo]

http://ria.ru/science/20111012/457523848.html

Метеоспутник NPP продолжит 40-летнюю эстафету наблюдений за климатом[/size]

22:37 12/10/2011

МОСКВА, 12 окт - РИА Новости. Спутник NPP, который НАСА планирует запустить 27 октября, продолжит более чем 40-летнюю историю спутниковых исследований погоды и климата, став первым представителем "нового поколения" аппаратов, заявили участники проекта на пресс-конференции, которая транслировалась в прямом эфире на сайте НАСА.

Запуск NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project) запланирован на 27 октября с базы ВВС Ванденберг в Калифорнии. Окно запуска открывается в 05.48 по времени восточного побережья (13.48 мск) и продлится чуть более девяти минут. Спутник выведет на орбиту ракета Delta II.

Аппарат массой 2,1 тонны планируется использовать как для краткосрочного прогнозирования погодных условий, так и для исследований климатических процессов. Спутник будет собирать данные об энергетическом балансе планеты, температуре, состоянии озонового слоя, загрязнении воздуха, а также наблюдать за ледовым покровом Арктики и Антарктики, растительностью и экстремальными погодными явлениями.

"NPP продолжит ряд из более чем 40 лет наблюдений, в том числе и эстафету "Терры", "Аквы" и "Ауры"... Он позволит нам получить более качественные наблюдения, более точные модели и, будем надеяться, более правильные решения", - сказал журналистам участник научной команды миссии Джим Глисон (Jim Gleason).

NPP присоединится к действующей орбитальной группировке метеорологических и климатических спутников, в которую, помимо аппаратов "Терра", "Аква" и "Аура", входят, например, спутник для исследования космической погоды SORCE, изучающий облака CloudSat, а также запущенный в 2011 году Acquarius для наблюдения за соленостью и температурой воды Мирового океана.

Представитель Национального управления океанических и атмосферных исследований США (NOAA) Луи Уццеллини (Louis Uccellini) отметил, что год запуска NPP выдался "очень показательным": к октябрю в США уже насчитывается 10 погодных катаклизмов, которые нанесли ущерб на сумму более 1 миллиарда долларов каждый. Всего за 2011 год "погодные" потери страны уже превысили 45 миллиардов долларов.

По его словам, ведомство ожидает, что NPP проработает на орбите не менее пяти лет. Представитель НАСА, менеджер проекта в Центре космических полетов имени Годдарда (GSFC) Кен Швер (Ken Schwer) добавил, что изначально пять инструментов спутника разрабатывались в расчете на семь лет службы.

"Однако в процессе их конструирования и испытаний мы обнаружили существенные отклонения, которые несколько увеличивают риск для аппарата... Все инструменты работают корректно, но эти отклонения могут сказаться на сроке их службы", - сказал Швер.

Он также напомнил, что NPP задумывался прежде всего как "испытательный полигон" для системы спутников нового поколения JPSS (Joint Polar Satellite System). Первый из двух спутников JPSS планируется запустить в 2016-2017 годах.

Общая стоимость миссии NPP оценивается примерно в 1,5 миллиарда долларов с учетом затрат НАСА, NOAA и Министерства обороны США.[/size]

[instml]

[NPP] Science News Briefing

[instml]

NASA Readies New Type of Earth-Observing Satellite for Launch
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/NPP/news/launch-prep.html

[SpaceR]

Надо же, а я думал что Дельты-2 уже закончились. Их вроде бы давненько уже не производят.

[Salo]

Ещё пять штук есть кроме этой и NASA подумывает о том, чтобы их использовать.

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

Oct. 28     Delta 2  •  NPP
Launch window: 0948:01-0957:11 GMT (5:48:01-5:57:11 a.m. EDT)

[Salo]

http://www.zarya.info/Calendar.php

The launcher also carries six cubesats:

Explorer 1 Prime - for Montana State University to measuring the radiation belts as discovered by the original Explorer 1, replaces the satellite lost in the failed Glory launch earlier in 2011,

AubieSat - Auburn University Student Space Program - to measure gamma rays produced by high-altitude thunderstorms,

M-Cubed - imaging satellite from the University of Michigan,

RAX-2 (Radio Aurora Explorer) - University of Michigan student-built satellite to study energy flow in the ionosphere,

DICE 1 (Dynamic Ionosphere CubeSat Experiment) - one of a pair of satellites to measure plasma and electric fields in the ionosphere and gauge their effects on satellites in orbit,

DICE 2 (Dynamic Ionosphere CubeSat Experiment) - one of a pair of satellites to measure plasma and electric fields in the ionosphere and gauge their effects on satellites in orbit.[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/missionbooklets/DII/dii_npp_mob.PDF

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/596877main_NPP_PressKit_Color.pdf

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d357/111024preview/

Polar orbiter going up to improve weather forecasting[/size]
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: October 24, 2011

A satellite whose mission will touch the lives of everyone on Earth by taking the planet's environmental pulse daily for global weather forecasting and meticulous tracking of the changing climate will be launched into space Friday morning atop what's potentially the final Delta 2 rocket.


An artist's concept of the NPP spacecraft. Credit: Ball Aerospace
 
The $1.5 billion mission of the NPP spacecraft will extend the data records from NASA's aging science observatories and serve as a gapfiller in NOAA's polar-orbiting weather satellite constellation for a half-decade while waiting for the next generation.

"There is value to knowing what tomorrow will bring. Whether by tomorrow we mean literally as in the weather forecast, or by tomorrow we mean something longer -- the future Earth environment that we can expect to be living in months, years, decades from now, and that our children and grandchildren will be living in," said Waleed Abdalati, NASA's chief scientist.

The U.S. has been flying weather satellites that circle from pole to pole since the dawn of the space age. Unlike the geostationary platforms parked 22,300 miles above the Earth's equator that monitor only a portion of the planet, the polar birds fly much lower and survey the whole globe to see conditions develop and give warning of incoming storms.

"What happens in far away places matters in places where people live," said Abdalati.

Friday's liftoff is targeted for 2:48 a.m. local time (5:48 a.m. EDT; 0948 GMT) from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base, located on the Pacific coastline about 140 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The venerable Delta 2 rocket, making its 151st and possibly last launch, has no further missions on the manifest. Maker United Launch Alliance has five more of the vehicles available for sales to the U.S. government and commercial satellite operators, but it remains to be seen if any will fly.

For this its 50th ascent in service to NASA, the Delta 2 will haul the 2.5-ton payload into a 512-mile-high orbit tilted 98.7 degrees to the equator, enabling the craft to cover the entire planet.

"We get to watch it fly south over the Pacific Ocean and on into orbit, then we all rush back inside, tell our team on the east coast to get to work on flight ops, make sure we got into the correct orbit and our solar array deployed," said Scott Tennant, NPP program manager at satellite-builder Ball Aerospace.

"Then we party."


An artist's concept shows the Delta's second stage accelerating NPP into orbit. Credit: NASA TV
 
Engineers working on the satellite have been waiting years to see NPP launch. Construction of the craft's core structure was completed in 2005, but then came a lengthy delay to finish the state-of-the-art instruments.

NPP carries five sensor packages to provide imagery, atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, and land and ocean surface temperature observations, all of which are key ingredients for weather forecasting. In addition, the satellite will measure ozone levels and reflected solar radiation from the planet.

"The nation isn't always aware of the benefits of taxpayer investment into big projects like NPP. But with more sophisticated Earth observing sensors aboard NPP, the National Weather Service will be able to demonstrate this value by saving even more lives and reducing economic losses with more-accurate forecasters and longer lead times," said Jack Hayes, director of the National Weather Service.

While NOAA uses NPP to test the vitality of the modernized sensors for watching the weather, NASA will add the satellite's measurements to its long-term compilation of climate data.

"People often confuse climate and weather. Weather is what's going to happen tomorrow or this upcoming weekend; climate is what happens over years and decades," said Jim Gleason, the NPP project scientist from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

"Climate is long-term behavior, weather patterns over time. These are the patterns that make it easier to grow corn in Iowa than in Arizona. Simply put, climate is what you expect, weather is what you get."

The three large science satellites in NASA's Earth Observing System -- Terra, Aqua and Aura -- were launched in 1999, 2002 and 2004, respectively, and won't last forever. NPP will continue writing their data records about the planet's atmosphere, oceans and vegetation during its planned five-year mission.

"NPP is a bridge to next-generation of Earth observing satellites that will provide climate data that are critical to NASA's Earth science research. NPP will help us understand what tomorrow will bring -- whether by tomorrow we mean tomorrow's forecast or we mean years and decades from now," said Andrew Carson, NASA's NPP program executive.

"NPP will continue these key measurements which are critical to understanding the health of our planet now as well as how things might change in the future."

For meteorologists, they are looking forward to the enhanced data from NPP to improve the quality of forecasting the weather.

"As end users the global data we will receive from this advanced satellite, we at the National Weather Service are really excited in anticipation of getting it into operations as quickly as we can," said Hayes.

"In addition to the advanced sensors' higher resolution technology, NPP will give us critical information from the entire Earth surface twice a day. This additional data will give National Weather Service forecasters more knowledge days in advance about the strength of a storm."


An artist's concept illustrates NPP's polar orbit. Credit: NASA
 
Sophisticated numerical models run on the world's fastest computers ingest over a billion observations per day to generate daily weather forecasts.

"The backbone of that global observing system is the polar satellite data that both NASA and NOAA have worked on for decades to improve the operational forecast systems. So the launch of the NPP is a big deal for America," said Louis Uccellini, director of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Prediction.

"With NPP's advanced microwave, infrared and visible data feeding NOAA's operational weather prediction models, we expect to improve our forecast skills and extend those forecast skills out to five-to-seven days in advance for hurricanes, severe weather outbreaks and other extreme weather events," Uccellini continued.

"Beyond the weather forecasting, NOAA will use NPP data to track ash plumes from volcanic eruptions to enhance aviation safety, monitor crops, vegetation, the potential for drought and fires, measure variation in the Arctic sea ice and detect harmful algae blooms and other hazards that might endanger fisheries in fragile ocean ecosystems."

At the Space Launch Complex 2 pad, technicians plan to load storable hypergolic propellants into the Delta 2 rocket's second stage Monday and Tuesday. The Launch Readiness Review will be held Wednesday, leading into the countdown activities that begin Thursday afternoon. You can follow launch preparations in our Mission Status Center with journal updates and live streaming video.

If you will be away from your computer but would like to receive occasional countdown updates, sign up for our Twitter feed to get text message updates on your cellphone. U.S. readers can also sign up from their phone by texting "follow spaceflightnow" to 40404. (Standard text messaging charges apply.)

And check out Spaceflight Now's Facebook page for mobile pictures over the next few days.[/size]

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Photo Gallery: Delta first stage stacked[/size]

On-pad assembly of the United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket for the NPP climate and weather observatory began at Vandenberg Air Force Base's Space Launch Complex 2 with erection of the first stage on July 20.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the launch.

Credit: NASA/VAFB[/size]