June 28, 2002

NOAA-17 (M) Environmental Satellite Successfully Launched and Sends Images

A new environmental satellite that will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world soared into space Monday, June 24 after a picture-perfect launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-17(M) spacecraft lifted off at 2:23 a.m. EDT on an Air Force-launched Titan II rocket. Approximately six and one-half minutes later, the spacecraft separated from the Titan II second stage.

Shortly after liftoff, flight controllers tracked the launch vehicle's progress using real-time telemetry data relayed through NASA's Tracking and Date Relay Satellite System. Approximately 30 minutes after launch, controllers acquired the spacecraft through the McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, ground station and confirmed NOAA-M's solar array had successfully deployed. At 3:49 p.m. EDT controllers acquired the spacecraft at Oakhanger Station, England, and verified the spacecraft power system was nominal. NOAA-M was renamed NOAA-17 after achieving orbit.

NOAA-17 is the third in a series of five Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) with instruments that provide improved imaging and sounding capabilities and operate over the next 10 years.

"We're off to a great start," said Karen Halterman, POES program manager at Goddard. "The spacecraft is now in orbit and all data indicate we have a healthy spacecraft."

To view images, go to: http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/
20020627noaamfirst.html

NASA 's Mission:
*To understand and protect our home planet
*To explore the Universe and search for life
*To inspire the next generation of explorers
…as only NASA can

For a further details of the NASA mission, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/bios/vision.html

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