http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/NPP/main/index.html en-us Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:36:46 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:58:48 GMT
NASA's Launch Blog will take a break as the vehicle enters its second coast phase. We'll be back prior to the third burn of the second-stage engine prior to CubeSat separation.]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:47:18 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:42:21 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:40:46 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:40:23 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:38:20 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:22:25 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:05:30 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:58:45 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:55:17 GMT
The second stage engine has ignited for a nearly six-minute first burn.

The NPP spacecraft is getting its first exposure to the vacuum of space now that the two halves of the protective payload fairing have fallen away.]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:53:09 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:51:07 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:49:15 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:48:13 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:47:10 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:45:01 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:44:09 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:40:17 GMT
The countdown is expected to resume at 5:44 a.m. with no further holds planned.]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:38:33 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:36:49 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:29:45 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:23:19 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:22:14 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:17:49 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:03:15 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:53:42 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:48:30 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:36:24 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:30:31 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:18:45 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:09:31 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:52:10 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:37:28 GMT
With 150 launches in its history, the Delta II rocket has earned a reputation as an industry workhorse. This will be the rocket's 50th launch for NASA. Past NASA missions launched on Delta II rockets in various configurations include the GRAIL and Aquarius missions earlier this year, and WISE, Kepler, the Phoenix Mars Lander, and the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, to name a few.]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:28:25 GMT Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:13:39 GMT
Five scientific instruments are key to NPP's success. The Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) will create global temperature and moisture models and the Crosstrack Infrared Sounder (CrIS) will monitor atmospheric characteristics such as pressure and moisture. Both will assist with weather forecasting. The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) track the amount of radiation, from Earth and the sun, while events taking place on our planet's surface will be recorded by the Visible Infrared Imaging spectro Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).

The spacecraft is designed for a five-year lifespan in polar Earth orbit.]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:06:35 GMT
The launch team is aiming for liftoff at the start of a nine-minute window opening at 5:48 a.m. EDT. Forecasters don't expect to see any weather or wind conditions that could prevent an on-time launch. At liftoff time, the temperature will be near 49 degrees, winds Easterly at 8-12 knots, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet and a visibility of 7-10 miles. There is no mention of fog in the forecast.

Countdown clocks began ticking backwards at 2:48 a.m. at T-150 minutes, marking the start of the "terminal count." All non-essential personnel have been cleared from the launch pad, and the rocket's guidance system is being turned on while the first and second stage helium and nitrogen systems are pressurizing.

There's more to come from today's countdown, so stay with NASA's Launch Blog for the latest.]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:02:29 GMT Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:08:37 GMT