Category: JPSS-1

NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System-1 spacecraft is slated to get a boost into polar orbit this morning aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 2 at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base is scheduled for 1:47 a.m. PST (4:47 a.m. EST). Weather is expected to be favorable; the 30th Weather Squadron’s Capt. Ross Malugani, serving as today’s launch weather officer, will give the launch team an update shortly.

At this time, the countdown is on hold at the T-15 minute mark. This is a planned hold built into the Delta II countdown. The countdown should resume in about seven minutes.

The rocket has been loaded with its propellants, cryogenic liquid oxygen and a rocket-grade kerosene called RP-1.

JPSS-1 is the first in NOAA’s series of four, next-generation operational environmental satellites designed to circle the Earth in a polar orbit. JPSS represents significant technological and scientific advancements in observations used for severe weather prediction and environmental monitoring. This data is used by NOAA’s National Weather Service for numerical forecast models, ultimately helping emergency managers make timely decisions on life-saving early warnings and evacuations.

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NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System-1 spacecraft is slated to launch on a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket Wednesday morning from Space Launch Complex 2 at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base. Liftoff time is 1:47 a.m. PST (4:47 a.m. EST).

Meteorologists with the U.S. Air Force 30th Weather Squadron expect an 80 percent chance of “go” weather conditions at launch time, with the possibility for ground winds posing the primary concern.

Join us for updates from the countdown beginning at 1:15 a.m. on the blog and on NASA TV.

The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta II carrying the JPSS-1 mission for NASA and NOAA was scrubbed today due to a red range and a late launch vehicle alarm. Due to the short window there was insufficient time to fully coordinate a resolution.

The launch is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 15, from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The launch time is 1:47 a.m. PT.

This is a planned hold lasting 10 minutes. In the next few minutes we’ll hear launch managers check in with their teams one last time before giving the final “go” to proceed with launch at 1:47:35 a.m. PST.

The built-in hold has been released and countdown clocks are ticking again. Liftoff is on schedule for 1:47 a.m. PST. There will be one more built-in hold in the countdown, and that’s a 10-minute hold coming up at the T-4 minute mark.

Both stages of the Delta II rocket have been loaded with RP-1 fuel, which is a rocket-grade kerosene, and cryogenic liquid oxygen.

See how the Delta II rocket and JPSS-1 spacecraft came together for launch:

Welcome to live coverage from the countdown to liftoff of NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System-1, or JPSS-1, aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Launch is planned for 1:47 a.m. PST (4:47 a.m. EST) from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Countdown clocks are holding at the T-15 minute mark. This is a routine hold that’s built into the countdown to give the team additional time if needed.

JPSS-1 is the first in NOAA’s series of four, next-generation operational environmental satellites designed to circle the Earth in a polar orbit. JPSS represents significant technological and scientific advancements in observations used for severe weather prediction and environmental monitoring. This data is used by NOAA’s National Weather Service for numerical forecast models, ultimately helping emergency managers make timely decisions on life-saving early warnings and evacuations.

The tower at Space Launch Complex 2 was rolled back late yesterday, leaving the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket and NOAA’s JPSS-1 satellite poised for liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Liftoff is scheduled for 1:47:35 a.m. PST today. Live countdown coverage begins at 1:15 a.m. here on the blog and on NASA TV.

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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.

The ULA Delta II rocket carrying the JPSS-1 mission for NASA and NOAA is delayed due to a faulty battery. The delay allows the team time to replace the battery on the Delta II booster. The vehicle and spacecraft remain stable. Launch of the JPSS-1 mission is scheduled for no earlier than Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Mission and launch officials for NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) have convened today at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in preparation for the satellite’s upcoming launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket.

During its time in the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility, JPSS-1 has undergone a series of routine prelaunch tests and checkouts, followed by mating to the Payload Attach Fitting and transport to the launch pad, where the Delta II rocket stood already assembled. The spacecraft then was hoisted into  position atop the rocket. Also installed were a trio of Poly-Picosat Orbital Deployers, or P-PODs, which will deploy a host of small CubeSat payloads after the JPSS-1 satellite is released to begin its mission. The entire payload has been enclosed within the two-piece fairing that will protect it during the climb to space.

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