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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, April 10
Amazon Leo to Launch 'Mid-2026,' CEO Hints at Lower Price Than Starlink
PC Magazine — 6:24 am ET (1024 GMT) Amazon’s Starlink competitor Leo gets a new date
The Verge — 6:23 am ET (1023 GMT) Space Force Picks 14 Firms to Compete to Build Reconnaissance Satellites
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:22 am ET (1022 GMT) Oxygen made from Moon dust for first time
The Daily Telegraph — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) This founder helped build SpaceX’s most powerful rocket engine. Now he’s building a ‘fighter jet for orbit.’
TechCrunch — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) |
