[Launch Alert] Delta II Rocket Launched

[Launch Alert]

The following are news releases from various organizations regaring this morning's launch from Vandenberg AFB:

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United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Delta II Rocket Carrying JPSS-1 Satellite for NASA and NOAA
Five CubeSats Launched for Research and Education

(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Nov. 18, 2017) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta II rocket carrying the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) for NASA and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-2 on Nov. 18 at 1:47 a.m. PST. The JPSS program provides the nation’s next generation polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite system, delivering key observations for the nation’s essential projects and services, including forecasting weather in advance and assessing environmental hazards.

“It has been an honor to partner with our teammates at NASA and NOAA in launching this critical earth observation mission,” said Laura Maginnis, ULA vice president of Government Satellite Launch. “Together, we were able to overcome multiple challenges in the last two weeks, culminating in the successful delivery of JPSS to orbit today.” 

In addition to JPSS-1, this mission includes five CubeSats which launched from dispensers mounted to the Delta II second stage. The miniaturized satellites will conduct research in 3D-printed polymers for in-space manufacturing, weather data collection, bit flip memory testing, radar calibration and the effects of space radiation on electronic components.

This mission was launched aboard a Delta II 7920-10 configuration rocket which includes a 10-ft diameter Payload Fairing (PLF). The booster for this mission was powered by the RS-27A engine and the second stage was powered by the AJ10-118K engine. This is ULA’s 8th launch in 2017 and the 123rd successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006. This is the penultimate launch of the Delta II rocket, first launching in 1989 with 154 launches to date. The final Delta II mission is scheduled for 2018 and will put ICEsat-2 in orbit for NASA. 

“The Delta II rocket has truly created a legacy throughout its history, and has proven to be an industry workhorse,” said Maginnis. “After almost 3 years since our last Delta II mission, it was great to see it flying and delivering mission success for our customers once again.”

ULA's next launch is the NROL-47 for the National Reconnaissance Office. The launch is scheduled for Dec. 13 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 120 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based GPS navigation.

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil

DELTA II LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL - VIDEO

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying a NASA/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite was successfully launched from Space Launch Complex-2 here Saturday, Nov. 18, at 1:47 a.m. PST.

To view the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs media video launch highlights visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/566483/delta-ii-launch-successful

To view the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs launch photos visit: http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/News/ or www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing

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November 18, 2017 
RELEASE 17-086
NASA Launches NOAA Weather Satellite Aboard United Launch Alliance Rocket to Improve Forecasts

NASA has successfully launched for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the first in a series of four highly advanced polar-orbiting satellites, equipped with next-generation technology and designed to improve the accuracy of U.S. weather forecasts out to seven days.

The Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) lifted off on a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 1:47 a.m. PST Saturday.

Approximately 63 minutes after launch the solar arrays on JPSS-1 deployed and the spacecraft was operating on its own power. JPSS-1 will be renamed NOAA-20 when it reaches its final orbit. Following a three-month checkout and validation of its five advanced instruments, the satellite will become operational.

“Launching JPSS-1 underscores NOAA’s commitment to putting the best possible satellites into orbit, giving our forecasters -- and the public -- greater confidence in weather forecasts up to seven days in advance, including the potential for severe, or impactful weather,” said Stephen Volz, director of NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service.

JPSS-1 will join the joint NOAA/NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite in the same orbit and provide meteorologists with observations of atmospheric temperature and moisture, clouds, sea-surface temperature, ocean color, sea ice cover, volcanic ash, and fire detection. The data will improve weather forecasting, such as predicting a hurricane’s track, and will help agencies involved with post-storm recovery by visualizing storm damage and the geographic extent of power outages.

“Emergency managers increasingly rely on our forecasts to make critical decisions and take appropriate action before a storm hits,” said Louis W. Uccellini, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “Polar satellite observations not only help us monitor and collect information about current weather systems, but they provide data to feed into our weather forecast models.”

JPSS-1 has five instruments, each of which is significantly upgraded from the instruments on NOAA’s previous polar-orbiting satellites. The more-detailed observations from JPSS will allow forecasters to make more accurate predictions. JPSS-1 data will also improve recognition of climate patterns that influence the weather, such as El Nino and La Nina.

The JPSS program is a partnership between NOAA and NASA through which they will oversee the development, launch, testing and operation all the satellites in the series. NOAA funds and manages the program, operations and data products. NASA develops and builds the instruments, spacecraft and ground system and launches the satellites for NOAA. JPSS-1 launch management was provided by NASA’s Launch Services Program based at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“Today’s launch is the latest example of the strong relationship between NASA and NOAA, contributing to the advancement of scientific discovery and the improvement of the U.S. weather forecasting capability by leveraging the unique vantage point of space to benefit and protect humankind,” said Sandra Smalley, director of NASA’s Joint Agency Satellite Division.

Ball Aerospace designed and built the JPSS-1 satellite bus and Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite instrument, integrated all five of the spacecraft’s instruments and performed satellite-level testing and launch support. Raytheon Corporation built the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite and the Common Ground System. Harris Corporation built the Cross-track Infrared Sounder. Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems built the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder and the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System instrument.

To learn more about the JPSS-1 mission, visit:

http://www.jpss.noaa.gov/

and

https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/jpss-1

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News Release Issued: Nov 18, 2017 (7:03am EST)

Raytheon's ground system, space sensor critical to NOAA's newest polar satellite's mission

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Nov. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, NASA launched NOAA's next-generation polar satellite, the Joint Polar Satellite System-1, into space. Two Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) weather programs are mission-critical components of the satellite's mission: the JPSS Common Ground System and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite sensor.

Svalbard, Norway, is home to part of a global network of receiving stations that process and distribute polar satellite data to users worldwide. Photo taken at Kongsberg Satellite Services plateau, October 11, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Reuben Wu)

JPSS CGS, a global system of ground antennas and high-performance computers, provides the mission planning and command and control once in space. Recently upgraded, the JPSS CGS 2.0 delivers observations to NOAA's National Weather Service almost 50 percent faster than before.

"Every day, thousands of decisions depend on accurate weather forecasting and environmental monitoring," said Matt Gilligan, vice president of Raytheon's Navigation and Environmental Solutions. "Our latest generation Common Ground System has been fully operational since August, and it's ready to support the new JPSS-1's mission as part of the growing polar satellite constellation."

Once in space, Raytheon's VIIRS sensor, one of six on the JPSS-1 satellite, will collect imagery in 22 bands of light—from visible to infrared—allowing scientists to observe emerging weather and climate patterns in unprecedented detail. The sensor's low light imaging day-night band provides invaluable imagery, supporting mission area domain awareness and disaster monitoring and management.

"From 500 miles up in space, VIIRS is changing the way we see Earth," said Robert Curbeam, director of Civil Space programs for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business. "Its value goes well beyond weather forecasting."

The JPSS-1 satellite joins its predecessor, Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite, in circling the Earth pole-to-pole 14 times a day, providing full global coverage and contributing data into the U.S. weather forecast models. Those models are the basis for three- to seven-day forecasts that save lives, protect property and decrease the negative impact of severe weather.

Beyond forecasting, VIIRS captures and JPSS CGS processes and distributes measurements of atmospheric temperature and moisture, which are critical to volcanic ash, wildfire, and drought monitoring.

Raytheon works in partnership with NOAA to create a more 'Weather-Ready Nation.' Click here to learn more about our Weather-Ready Nation Training Modules.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter.

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