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A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a weather satellite and NASA's Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. | Photo courtesy of Ryan Quijas/U.S. Space Force
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A NASA satellite was launched and a low-Earth orbit flight test was conducted from Vandenberg Space Force Base Thursday.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System-2 was sent into orbit via a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 1:39 a.m. In addition, NASA tested an Inflatable Decelerator from Space Launch Complex-3.
“Today the Western Range closed another chapter in history that began with the first Atlas vehicle launch from SLC-3 in 1958,” Col. Robert Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, said in a statement. “Our outstanding Airmen and Guardian professionals continue to showcase flawless execution and teamwork alongside NASA, NOAA and ULA conducting safe launch and range operations to ensure a successful mission.”
The Joint Polar Satellite System-2 is used to improve the accuracy and timeliness of numerical weather prediction models for weather forecasting, according to a release from Vandenberg. The satellite is designed to survey Earth twice daily and obtain global observations that serve as a guide for weather forecasting and climate record-keeping and monitoring.
The satellite is designed to provide data used for imagery, atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, land and ocean surface temperature measurements, and readings on ozone levels and solar radiation from Earth.
The Joint Polar Satellite System-2 is the 301st Atlas rocket launched from Vandenberg. The 300th Atlas launch that occurred last year was also the 2,000th launch from Vandenberg.
After the satellite reaches orbit, the low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of the decelerator will be put on reentry trajectory. It will demonstrate the inflatable aeroshell or heat shield’s ability to slow down and survive reentry.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have been the launch director for Team Vandenberg’s 2,000th launch for the Atlas V Landsat 9 mission as well as Thursday’s JPSS-2 mission,” Long said. “Our mission partners, in government and industry is critical to our success. While we close this chapter, we are excited about the increased tempo on the horizon at the Western Range.”
