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September 21, 2000

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An image from the country’s newest environmental satellite is available online. The image is from NOAA-16, which was launched this morning from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and named NOAA-L before launch.

The image is the first visible image received at NOAA’s Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, Md., from NOAA-16 via High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT). The white area in the upper right is Greenland.

Like other NOAA satellites, NOAA-16 will collect meteorological data and transmit the information to users around the world to enhance weather forecasting. In the United States, the data will be used primarily by NOAA’s National Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts.

NOAA-16 was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., and launched for NOAA under technical guidance and project management by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA will turn operational control of the NOAA-16 spacecraft over to NOAA 10 days after launch. NASA’s comprehensive on-orbit verification period is expected to last until approximately 45 days after launch.

For more information about NOAA-16 and the polar orbiting satellites, see: http://poes.gsfc.nasa.gov  and http://www.osd.noaa.gov 

NOAA-L/TITAN II ROCKET TO LAUNCH SEPT. 20 FROM VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA

The launch of the NOAA-L polar-orbiting weather satellite for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aboard a U.S. Air Force Titan II rocket is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, Sept. 20. Liftoff will be from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 4W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. The ten-minute launch window extends from 3:22 - 3:32 a.m. PDT.

The NOAA-L satellite will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. NOAA-L is the second in the current series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities that will operate over the next 12 years. NOAA-L will collect meteorological data and transmit the information to NOAA's National Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts. Users around the world will also be able to access the satellite's images and data.

ACCREDITATION

News media requesting accreditation for the launch of NOAA-L should fax their request on news organization letterhead to:

Staff Sgt. Rebecca Bonilla

30^th Space Wing Public Affairs Office

Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA

FAX: 805/606-8303

For further information on launch accreditation, the USAF Public Affairs Office can be reached at 805/606-3595.

PRELAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE

The prelaunch news conference will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. PDT in the main conference room of the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office, Building 840. Participants will be:

Question and answer capability will be available from other participating NASA centers.

Media requesting to cover the prelaunch news conference should meet at the south gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base on California State Road 246 at 9:30 a.m. They will be escorted to the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office.

No post-launch news conference is scheduled.

REMOTE CAMERAS

Media desiring to establish sound-activated remote cameras at the launch pad will depart from the south gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, for SLC-4.

LAUNCH DAY PRESS COVERAGE

On launch day, Sept. 20, media covering the NOAA-L/Titan II launch should meet at the Vandenberg AFB south gate located on California State Road 1 at 2:30 a.m. to be escorted to the launch viewing location on north Vandenberg Air Force Base. After launch, media will be escorted back to the gate.

NASA TELEVISION AND VOICE CIRCUIT COVERAGE

NASA Television will carry the prelaunch news conference live starting at 10 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, Sept. 19. On launch day, Sept. 20, NASA TV coverage of the countdown will begin at 2 a.m. PDT. It will conclude after spacecraft separation from the Titan II occurring about 16 minutes after launch.

A complete NOAA-L video package will be broadcast during the NASA TV Video File on Sept. 19 at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. PDT.

NASA Television is carried on GE-2, transponder 9C located at 85 degrees West longitude. Audio only will be available on two "V" circuit numbers that may be reached by dialing 321/867-1260 or -7135.

NASA NOAA-L NEWS CENTER

The NOAA-L News Center at the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office will be staffed beginning Monday, Sept. 18. For further information at that time contact Bruce Buckingham at 805/605-3051. A recorded status report will also be available starting at that time by dialing 805/734-2693.