Tower Rollback on Tap for L-1

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the payload fairing is installed encapsulating the Joint Polar Satellite System-1, or JPSS-1, spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at Space Launch Complex 2.
At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the payload fairing is installed encapsulating the Joint Polar Satellite System-1, or JPSS-1, spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at Space Launch Complex 2. Photo credit: NASA/USAF 30th Space Wing

Today is “L-1” — one day remaining until the planned launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System-1. Liftoff is scheduled for 1:47 a.m. PST (4:47 a.m. EST) Tuesday from Space Launch Complex 2 at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The gantry-like tower at the launch site will be rolled back later today prior to the start of countdown activities. Live countdown coverage here on the JPSS-1 Launch Blog and on NASA TV will begin Tuesday at 1:15 a.m. PST (4:15 a.m. EST).

Meteorologists with the U.S. Air Force’s 30th Weather Squadron have issued the L-1 Day forecast. The primary weather concern is ground winds that may equal or exceed the 26-knot limit. Overall, the forecast predicts a 70 percent chance of favorable conditions at launch time.