05.04.05 George H. Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Phone: 321/867-2468) Cynthia O'Carroll Goddard Space Flight Center, Md. (Phone: 301/286-4647) John Leslie NOAA, Suitland, Md. (Phone: 301/457-5005) RELEASE: 35-05 NOAA-N/DELTA II ROCKET READY FOR MAY 11 LAUNCH The launch of the NOAA-N polar-orbiting weather satellite for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, May 11. Liftoff will be from Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Calif. The 10-minute launch window extends from 3:22:01 - 3:32:01 a.m. PDT. The NOAA-N satellite will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. NOAA-N is the fourth in the current series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities. Built by Lockheed Martin, the satellite will collect meteorological data and transmit the information to NOAA's Satellite and Information Service. This service processes the data for input to the National Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts. Forecasters worldwide will also be able to access the satellite's images and data. NOAA-N has sensors that will be used in the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System to monitor for distress signals around the world. ACCREDITATION News media desiring accreditation for the launch of NOAA-N should fax their request on news organization letterhead to: Lt. Lucas Ritter 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office, VAFB FAX: 805/606-8303 For further information on launch accreditation, the U.S. Air Force 30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office can be reached at 805/606-3595. PRELAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE A prelaunch news conference will be held at 1 p.m. PDT on Monday, May 9, in the main conference room of the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office, Building 840, at VAFB. Participants will be: Mike Mignogno, Program Manager, Polar Operational Environmental Satellites NOAA Omar Baez, NASA Launch Director Kennedy Space Center Kris Walsh, Boeing Director of NASA Programs Boeing Expendable Launch Systems Karen Halterman, NOAA-N Spacecraft Project Manager NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Capt. Paul Lucyk, Launch Weather Officer, 30th Weather Squadron VAFB, Calif. Question-and-answer capability will be available from other NASA centers. Media desiring to cover the prelaunch news conference should meet at the south gate of VAFB on California State Road 246 at 12:30 p.m. on May 9. They will be escorted by 30th Space Wing Public Affairs to the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office. A post-launch news conference will not be held. REMOTE CAMERAS Monday, May 9: Media desiring to establish sound-activated remote cameras at the launch pad should meet at the pass and identification building located at the main gate of VAFB on California SR 1. Departure for SLC-2 is planned to occur at 2 p.m., following the prelaunch press conference. TOWER ROLLBACK PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AT SLC-2 Tuesday, May 10: There will be an opportunity to observe rollback of the mobile service tower from around the NOAA-N/Delta II launch vehicle at SLC-2. Media will depart by Air Force van from the VAFB main gate on California SR 1 at 5 p.m. Press credentials and identification from a bona fide news organization will be required for access. A driver's license alone will not be sufficient. LAUNCH DAY PRESS COVERAGE Wednesday, May 11: Media covering the NOAA-N/Delta II launch should meet at 2:15 a.m. at the VAFB main gate located on California State Road 1 to be escorted to the press site located on north VAFB. After launch, media will be escorted back to the gate. A post-launch news conference will not be held, however media interested in speaking with launch officials will be escorted to the NASA Mission Director's Center for an interview opportunity after spacecraft separation occurs 65 minutes after launch. NASA TELEVISION AND VOICE CIRCUIT COVERAGE NASA Television will carry the prelaunch news conference starting at 1 p.m. PDT on Monday, May 9. On launch day, May 11, NASA TV coverage of the countdown will begin at 1 a.m. PDT and conclude after spacecraft separation from the Delta II, occurring 65 minutes after launch. In the continental United States, NASA Television is on AMC-6, Transponder 9 located at 72 degrees West longitude. In Alaska and Hawaii, all NOAA-N events will be on AMC-7 Transponder 18, located at 137 degrees West longitude. Audio only of the prelaunch press conference and the launch coverage will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits, which may be reached by dialing 321/867-1220....1240...1260....7135. A prelaunch webcast is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, May 9. For more information, go to the NASA Direct Web site at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/launch/event-NOAA-N.html NASA Television launch coverage will be webcast at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv Live information updates will be available through Kennedy Space Center's Virtual Launch Control Center at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/launch/vlcc.html NASA NOAA-N NEWS CENTER The NOAA-N News Center at the NASA Vandenberg Resident Office will be staffed beginning Friday, May 6. For information beginning at that time, call 805/605-3051. A recorded status report will also be available starting at that time by dialing 805/734-2693. -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: ksc-subscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov To remove your address from the list, send a message to: ksc-unsubscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov
