Nation’s Newest Environmental Satellite Successfully Launched
America’s newest polar-orbiting satellite roared into orbit this morning, setting the stage for enhanced weather data NOAA scientists will use to develop life-saving severe weather forecasts days in advance.
The NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite is a NASA Earth-observing satellite and features five new instruments that will collect more detailed information about Earth’s atmosphere, land and oceans. NASA will use NPP as a research mission, while NOAA will use the data for short and long-term weather forecasting and environmental monitoring.
In 2011, data from polar-orbiting satellites like NPP allowed emergency managers and communities to prepare for severe weather events . Five days before a destructive and deadly tornado outbreak in Alabama and parts of the Southeast in April, NOAA forecasters were able to see the early atmospheric signs of the storm system developing and issue timely warnings.
NPP will orbit Earth every 102 minutes, flying 512 miles above the surface, monitoring atomospheric conditions below. The first of the NPP data will become available in about 90 days.
Source: NOAA
- La NiƱa Could Soon Arrive. What That Means for Winter Weather
- The Data Behind Rising Homeowners Premiums: by Peril and by State
- Crawford & Company Launches Insurtech Turvi
- Lyft to Pay $2 Million to Resolve FTC Suit Over Driver Pay
- J&J’s Court-Shopping Strategy Pits New Jersey Home Against Texas
- AccuWeather Increases Total Damage and Economic Loss Estimate From Helene to Between $225B-$250B
- Milton’s 152,180 Claims So Far to Mean New Pressure on Reinsurance, Rate Hikes
- Former UPS Driver Wins $238 Million Verdict in Suit Over Firing