KSC-2011-7491
In a clean room inside the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Ball Aerospace technicians have completed the installation of NASA’s National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft in a payload transportation canister in preparation for its trip to the launch pad. NPP represents a critical first step in building the next-generation of Earth-observing satellites. NPP will carry the first of the new sensors developed for this satellite fleet, now known as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), to be launched in 2016. NPP is the bridge between NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites and the forthcoming series of JPSS satellites. The mission will test key technologies and instruments for the JPSS missions. NPP is targeted to launch Oct. 28 from Space Launch Complex-2 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. For more information, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_NPP. Photo credit: NASA_Roy Allison, VAFB
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Details
NASA ID
2011-7491
Date Created
October 11, 2011
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA_Roy Allison, VAFB
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