KSC-2011-7584
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The ground begins to rumble at Space Launch Complex-2 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California as the engines ignite beneath the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying NASA's National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) into space. Liftoff was at 2:48 a.m. PDT. 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. For more information, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_NPP. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett
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Details
NASA ID
2011-7584
Date Created
October 28, 2011
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA_Kim Shiflett
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