[Satellite Today 01-26-09] NASA is in preparations to launch the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) NOAA-N Prime polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite Feb. 4 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., NASA announced Jan. 23.
    NOAA-N Prime will be renamed NOAA-19 after achieving proper orbit, and NASA will transfer operational control to NOAA. NASA’s on-orbit verification period is expected to last about 45 days after launch.
    The satellite will provide resources for NOAA’s weather forecasts and improve the U.S. search and rescue operations. The satellite will replace NOAA-18, carrying the same primary instruments plus an advanced data collection system and an improved search and rescue processor provided by France.