Advanced satellite to improve US weather forecast launched

Washington Nov 18 (IANS) NASA on Saturday successfully launched for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a highly advanced polar-orbiting satellite to improve weather forecasts up to seven days in advance.

The Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) lifted off on a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base California NASA said.

"Launching JPSS-1 underscores NOAA s commitment to putting the best possible satellites into orbit giving our forecasters -- and the public -- greater confidence in weather forecasts up to seven days in advance including the potential for severe or impactful weather " said Stephen Volz Director of NOAA s Satellite and Information Service.

This is the first in a series of four such satellites in a collaborative programme between NOAA and NASA.

Approximately an hour after launch the solar arrays on JPSS-1 deployed and the spacecraft was operating on its own power.

JPSS-1 will be renamed NOAA-20 when it reaches its final orbit. Following a three-month checkout and validation of its five advanced instruments the satellite will become operational NASA said.

The satellite will improve weather forecasting such as predicting a hurricane s track and will help agencies involved with post-storm recovery by visualizing storm damage and the geographic extent of power outages.

JPSS-1 data will also improve recognition of climate patterns that influence the weather such as El Nino and La Nina according to NASA.

--IANS
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