KSC-2011-7589
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- NASA's National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) roars off Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Liftoff was at 2:48 a.m. PDT aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. 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
2011-7589
Date Created
October 28, 2011
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA_Kim Shiflett
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