NOAA-10 (ATN series) was launched on September 17, 1986 and is a
third-generation operational meteorological satellite. The
satellite design provides an economical and stable sun-
synchronous ... platform. This platform enables the satellite to
carry advanced operational instruments that measure the earth's
atmosphere, its surface and cloud cover, and the near-space
environment. The satellite is based upon the Block 5D spacecraft
bus developed for the U.S. Air Force, and is capable of
maintaining an earth-pointing accuracy of better than plus or
minus 0.1 degree with a motion rate of less than 0.035
degree/second. Primary sensors include (1) an Advanced Very High
Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), (2) TIROS Operational Vertical
Sounder (TOVS), (3) Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE),
and (4) a Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Spectrometer (SBUV/2).
Secondary experiments consist of a Space Environment Monitor
(SEM), and a Data Collection System (DCS). A Search and Rescue
(SAR) system is also carried on NOAA-10. O