KSC-2011-7544

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Participants in the prelaunch news conference for NASA’s National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft prepare to address members of the news media gathered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Panelists are, from left, George Diller, NASA launch commentator, Andrew Carson, NPP program executive, NASA Headquarters, Tim Dunn, NASA launch director, Kennedy Space Center, Vernon Thorp, program manager, NASA missions, United Launch Alliance, Ken Schwer, NPP project manager, Goddard Space Flight Center, and 2nd Lt. Lisa Cochran, launch weather officer, 30th Operations Support Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. 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/VAFB