[Satellite Today 02-09-09] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been boosted by the successful launch of its new polar orbiting satellite, NOAA-19. The environmental satellite was successfully launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Feb.6.
    The satellite is now circling the globe every 102 minutes taking images and measurements to support NOAA’s efforts to forecast and monitor the environment. NOAA-19 joins NOAA-18 and one European environmental satellite already in polar orbit.
    NOAA-19 carries seven scientific instruments, including two search and rescue instruments and a data recording system. Unique with this satellite is a new data collection system that will relay meteorological, oceanographic data – even track migration patterns of wildlife – to help researchers improve their study of Earth’s environment.