Joint Polar Satellite System-1
Category: JPSS-1
Coverage Concludes After Successful Launch of JPSS-1, CubeSats
Photo credit: United Launch Alliance
NOAA's Joint Polar Satellite System-1 spacecraft and a host of small satellites known as CubeSats are beginning their missions following this morning's successful launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. The on-time liftoff occurred at 1:47:36 a.m. PST (4:47:36 EST) from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
"Things went absolutely perfect today. The weather cooperated, the upper-level winds cooperated, and so did the vehicle, spacecraft and range instruments," said NASA Launch Manager Omar Baez after launch and ascent activities were complete. "We couldn't ask for better."
JPSS-1 is the first in NOAA's series of four, next-generation operational environmental satellites designed to circle the Earth in a polar orbit. JPSS represents significant technological and scientific advancements in observations used for severe weather prediction and environmental monitoring. This data is used by NOAA's National Weather Service for numerical forecast models, ultimately helping emergency managers make timely decisions on life-saving early warnings and evacuations. JPSS-1 was Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. of Boulder, Colorado.
"The nation has another wonderful weather asset in space," Baez said.
This concludes live coverage of the countdown and launch of JPSS-1, but you can keep up with the mission at https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/jpss-1.
Author Anna HeineyPosted on November 18, 2017 November 18, 2017 Categories JPSS-1
All CubeSats Successfully Deployed
All CubeSats have been deployed! P-POD 1 released EagleSat-1, RadFXSat and MakerSat-0; Buccaneer deployed from P-POD 2; and MiRaTA deployed from P-POD 3. The CubeSats all are flying solo to begin their missions.
Author Anna HeineyPosted on November 18, 2017 Categories JPSS-1
Third and Final Burn Complete; Preps for P-POD Deployment
Release of the CubeSats from the P-POD deployers will begin in about 6.5 minutes. The CubeSats in the ELaNa XIV payload are:
RadFxSat – Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.
EagleSat – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz.
MiRaTA – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
MakerSat – Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho
The three P-PODs mounted to the Delta II second stage will be deployed one by one, one minute and 40 seconds apart.
Managers have confirmed a successful solar array deployment for JPSS-1.
JPSS-1 Spacecraft Separation!
The JPSS-1 satellite is visible attached to the Delta II second stage at the time of spacecraft separation. Image credit: NASA TV
Flying 440 nautical miles over the Indian Ocean, NOAA's Joint Polar Satellite System-1 spacecraft has separated from the second stage of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that delivered it to orbit this morning.
The next major milestone will be the third burn of the Delta II second stage – a quick burn lasting about 18 seconds – to prepare for deployment of the P-PODs, releasing the five CubeSats.
SECO 2: Second Burn Complete
The Delta II rocket's second-stage engine has finished its second burn. Stand by for JPSS-1 spacecraft separation about six minutes from now.
Another Launch View
The end of coast phase is coming up at 2:38 a.m. EST (5:38 a.m. PST) with the second of three burns by second-stage engine. It will be a quick burn lasting less than half a minute.
A Look Back at Liftoff
NOAA's Joint Polar Satellite System-1 launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket at 1:47 a.m. PST (4:47 a.m. EST) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The flight has proceeded smoothly and at this time, the vehicle is in a coast phase.
Here's a look back at liftoff captured from NASA TV.
Liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying NOAA's JPSS-1 satellite. Liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was on time at 1:47 a.m. PST on Nov. 18. Image credit: NASA TV
Image credit: NASA TV
SECO 1; Coast Phase Begins
The Delta II rocket's second-stage engine has cut off, finishing its first burn. This marks the beginning of a coast phase lasting just over 40 minutes. The engine will reignite for its second burn at 2:38 a.m. PST (5:38 a.m. EST).
MECO Complete, Second-Stage Burn in Progress
Main engine cutoff occurred on time, the first and second stages separated as planned and the second-stage engine has started its first burn. The payload fairing that protected the JPSS-1 satellite during the first minutes of ascent has jettisoned as expected.
Liftoff! JPSS-1 Bound for Polar Orbit
Booster ignition and liftoff! NOAA's Joint Polar Satellite System-1 spacecraft is on its way into polar orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. The vehicle is rising up and away from Space Launch Complex 2, its light piercing the darkened skies over California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.
JPSS-1 Resources
JPSS-1 Launch Team
Delta II Countdown 101
Prelaunch Flickr Gallery
ANNA HEINEY
Joint Polar Satellite System-1 National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Official: Brian Dunbar