Delta 2 launches NPP
Posted: Sat, Oct 29, 2011, 9:47 AM ET (1347 GMT)
In its last currently-scheduled launch, a Delta 2 rocket placed an Earth sciences satellite into orbit on Friday. The Delta 2 7920 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 5:48 am EDT (0948 GMT) Friday and released the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit nearly one hour later. NPP carries a suite of instruments for weather and climate studies. NPP was originally a precursor to the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), but that program has since been canceled and replaced by the Joint Polar Satellite System, whose first satellite will not launch until late this decade. The launch, which carried several cubesats as secondary payloads, was also the last scheduled launch for the venerable Delta 2, although United Launch Alliance hopes to sell up to five more Delta 2 launches to NASA or other customers.
In its last currently-scheduled launch, a Delta 2 rocket placed an Earth sciences satellite into orbit on Friday. The Delta 2 7920 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 5:48 am EDT (0948 GMT) Friday and released the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit nearly one hour later. NPP carries a suite of instruments for weather and climate studies. NPP was originally a precursor to the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), but that program has since been canceled and replaced by the Joint Polar Satellite System, whose first satellite will not launch until late this decade. The launch, which carried several cubesats as secondary payloads, was also the last scheduled launch for the venerable Delta 2, although United Launch Alliance hopes to sell up to five more Delta 2 launches to NASA or other customers.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Blue Origin announces new upper stage and engine for New Glenn
Posted: Sat, Nov 7 12:07 PM ET (1707 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, November 9
NASA Updates Moon Base Plan Spanning Rover to Rides
Aviation Week — 4:49 am ET (0949 GMT) Korea to spur private launchers and LEO network in SpaceX-style push
Chosun Ilbo — 4:44 am ET (0944 GMT) As SpaceX gets cheaper, are India’s rockets taking different flight paths?
livemint — 4:44 am ET (0944 GMT) SpaceX Falcon 9 launch planned for Monday evening out of Vandenberg SFB
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 4:43 am ET (0943 GMT) Will China’s slow and steady moon landing plan be a safer bet than the US’?
South China Morning Post — 4:43 am ET (0943 GMT) |
