NOAA

NOAA is part of the ongoing US series of polar-orbiting weather satellites. These were preceded by the TIROS series and the ITOS (Improved TIROS) series. These satellites make measurements of atmospheric temperature and humidity, surface temperature, cloud cover, water-ice-moisture boundaries, and space proton and electron fluxes. They can receive, process, and retransmit data from free-floating balloons, buoys, and remote automatic stations around the globe. These satellites are managed by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and NASA is responsible for developing and launching the spacecraft. The NOAA spacecraft use a letter designator (NOAA G) before launch, when it receives a numeric designator. TIROS-N through NOAA-D are called the TIROS-N series. NOAA-E through NOAA-N are called the TIROS ATN series (Advanced TIROS N). NOAA-D was launched out of sequence and later became NOAA 12. (NOAA 11 shown in photo)

Spacecraft
TIROS-N Spacecraft: 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointing with control to 0.1 deg using reaction wheels. The TIROS-N series incorporated significant design heritage from DMSP. Hydrazine propulsion system for orbit maintenance. Single solar panel generates over 1 kW (EOL). NiCd batteries provide power during eclipse. Structure is an elongated 5-sided box constructed of aluminum and titanium. S-Band communications. NOAA/NESDIS ground stations are located in Redwood City, CA, Wallops, VA, and Fairbanks, AK.

Payload
AVCS (Advanced Vidicon Camera System). APT (Automatic Picture Transmission system). FPR (Flat Plate Radiometer). SPM (Solar Proton Monitor). VTPR (Vertical Temperature Profile Radiometer). VHRR (Very High Resolution Radiometer). AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer). ASS (Atmospheric Sounding System). SEM (Space Environment Monitor). TOVS (TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder). TIP (TIROS Information Processor). MIR (Manipulated Information Rate processor). CSU (Cross-Strap Unit).

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	NASA, GSFC, NOAA
Manufacturer(s)	RCA, GE Astro Space, Lockheed-Martin
Size	3.7 m long, 1.9 m diameter
Orbit	820 km circular, polar, sun-synchronous
Design Life	2 years

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
Tiros N	1978-096A	10/13/78	WSMC	Atlas F	LEO	734
NOAA 6	1979-057A	6/27/79	WSMC	Atlas F	LEO	723
NOAA B	1980-043A	5/29/80	WSMC	Atlas F	LEO	1405
Unusable orbit; would have been NOAA 7
NOAA 7	1981-059A	6/23/81	WSMC	Atlas F	LEO	1405
NOAA 8	1983-022A	3/28/83	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	3775
Carried search and rescue package
NOAA 9	1984-123A	12/12/84	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	1712
NOAA 10	1986-073A	9/17/86	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	1700
NOAA 11	1988-089A	9/24/88	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	1712
Carried search & rescue package
NOAA 12	1991-032A	5/14/91	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	1416
NOAA 13	1993-050A	8/9/93	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	1712
NOAA 14	1994-089A	12/30/94	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	1712