Photo Source: Scientific Visualization Studio
|
|
NPP creates new Blue Marble Image
|
June 23, 2012
|
This new 'Blue Marble
Image’ was created by NASA Goddard Scientist Norman Kuring (who also produced
all the other NPP Blue Marble Photos) and shows the full disc of Earth as seen
from Space. The only thing that is doctored on this image is that it is a
composite, it was created by using multiple natural-color images from the
Visible/Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the recently launched
Suomi-NPP satellite. The Photo shows Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the entire
Arctic. 15 satellite passes of the NPP Spacecraft were needed to gather enough
imagery to create this image. All data was acquired on May 26, 2012 as NPP was
in a 824-Kilometer Orbit around Earth. This ‘artificial’ view looks down from 70
degrees North, 60 degrees East. For more on the NPP Spacecraft, visit our NPP
Section.
Photo: NASA Goddard - Norman Kuring
NPP - The first 100 Days
|
February 5, 2012
|
|
100 days have passed since a Delta II Rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base and delivered the NPP Satellite to Orbit. Since then, a lot has been going on with NASA’s new generation weather satellite: the mission has been renamed, an instrument glitch was discovered, amazing images were released and the first data sets were acquired. Let’s have a look at the first 100 days of the mission and all significant events that have occurred since blastoff. |
Photo: NASA Kennedy
|
After arriving in orbit and deploying its solar array, NPP wrapped up its successful orbital insertion and started its lengthy checkout phase. Communications were acquired and secured and the communication subsystem was thoroughly checked. Actual Spacecraft Operations started on November 1 with the first small engine burn of the satellite to make sure the propulsion system was working. By November 5, NPP had completed several engine burns and reaction control maneuvers to put the thrusters of the satellite to the test. Thruster efficiency was determined to be pristine and highly efficient. Instrument activation began on November 7 and all instruments were checked out as time progressed. Some of the instruments were put in their science mode to start taking preliminary data right away, others were checked and then put in a standby configuration for outgassing while others used calibration and testing modes to complete performance verifications. More engine burns placed the vehicle in its mission orbit in which it arrived on November 15. With that, the first phase of spacecraft commissioning was complete and teams had a functioning spacecraft in its desired orbit ready to start data acquisition after the instrument commissioning phase.
The ATMS (Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder) Instrument obtained its first data on November 8. This first global view showed the abundance of water vapor in the lower atmosphere. The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite started its commission as expected and returned the first high-resolution image just two weeks after ATMS sent its first data. The largest instrument aboard NPP will produce radiometric imagery in visible and infrared wavelengths of the Earth's land, atmosphere, and oceans. Its first image shows a swath of Eastern North America from Canada’s Hudson Bay past Florida to the northern coast of Venezuela with remarkable detail in land properties and cloud cover.
The ATMS (Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder) Instrument obtained its first data on November 8. This first global view showed the abundance of water vapor in the lower atmosphere. The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite started its commission as expected and returned the first high-resolution image just two weeks after ATMS sent its first data. The largest instrument aboard NPP will produce radiometric imagery in visible and infrared wavelengths of the Earth's land, atmosphere, and oceans. Its first image shows a swath of Eastern North America from Canada’s Hudson Bay past Florida to the northern coast of Venezuela with remarkable detail in land properties and cloud cover.
Photo: NASA/NOAA
This global image shows ATMS
channel 18-microwave antenna data at 183.3 GHz on November 8,
2011. This channel measures atmospheric water vapor.
|
Then, the instrument commissioning phase was stopped because an anomaly associated with the crucial VIIRS Instrument emerged. (For more on all NPP Instruments and background information on VIIRS, visit the NPP Instrument site for detailed descriptions of all 5 payloads.) During VIIRS testing, engineers detected a decrease in sensor sensitivity on four of VIIR’s infrared and visible channels. This decrease was not expected and the activation of other channels and instruments was postponed to investigate this issue. Engineers identified a build-up of Tungsten Oxides on the surface of the mirrors that are an essential part of the optical components in VIIRS. These substances cause the mirrors to darken and have an effect on the instrument’s behavior. A non-standard process during mirror coating was discovered as a potential root cause of the contamination of the mirrors. This indicates that this problem would only be limited to VIIRS and have no impact on other instruments. Also, engineers concluded that the contamination is irreversible but will reach a stable plateau and remain at that limit for the remainder of the mission. VIIRS performance will be impacted slightly, but at the expected plateau level, the instrument will still provide sufficient sensitivity to meet all of its mission objectives. Lessons learned from that problem will be applied for future spacecraft using the VIIRS design. After the investigation, instrument commissioning resumed on January 18, 2012. The completion of this activity is now expected by the end of February or early in March. ATMS data is already used in scientific research and database building so that this particular instrument had an early start to its science mission. |
Photo: NASA/NOAA/VIIRS
|
Besides the VIIRS issue, the NPP Spacecraft has been performing flawlessly since launch while the ground network experienced a few glitches. The data link between the primary ground station for this mission, Svalbard, Norway and New York from where data is distributed, went down several times. This issue was resolved by teams as well and it did not present any danger to satellite operations since the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is also providing a steady link to the Spacecraft for commanding and data downlink.
Meanwhile, NASA announced on January 24 that NPP would be renamed Suomi NPP or Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership after Verner E. Suomi who is considered to be "the father of satellite meteorology." Suomi was a meteorologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he was pioneering emote sensing of Earth from satellites in polar orbits laying the foundation for modern meteorology and climate monitoring that has become a central part of science and every day life. "Verner Suomi's many scientific and engineering contributions were fundamental to our current ability to learn about Earth's weather and climate from space," said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington." Suomi NPP not only will extend more than four decades of NASA satellite observations of our planet, it also will usher in a new era of climate change discovery and weather forecasting." NPP’s original name was National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project.
In Orbit, the CERES instrument was next to acquire ‘first light’. CERES stands for Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System and is mapping energy properties of the Earth-Atmosphere System and puts a tab on Earth’s energy balance. On January 26, 2012, the protective covers of the instrument were opened and final checkouts were conducted before CERES was transitioned to its science mode to take a fist data set. The first image was produced with NPP CERES Data on January 29. For more on CERES and how it works, refer to our Instrument Page.
Meanwhile, NASA announced on January 24 that NPP would be renamed Suomi NPP or Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership after Verner E. Suomi who is considered to be "the father of satellite meteorology." Suomi was a meteorologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he was pioneering emote sensing of Earth from satellites in polar orbits laying the foundation for modern meteorology and climate monitoring that has become a central part of science and every day life. "Verner Suomi's many scientific and engineering contributions were fundamental to our current ability to learn about Earth's weather and climate from space," said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington." Suomi NPP not only will extend more than four decades of NASA satellite observations of our planet, it also will usher in a new era of climate change discovery and weather forecasting." NPP’s original name was National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project.
In Orbit, the CERES instrument was next to acquire ‘first light’. CERES stands for Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System and is mapping energy properties of the Earth-Atmosphere System and puts a tab on Earth’s energy balance. On January 26, 2012, the protective covers of the instrument were opened and final checkouts were conducted before CERES was transitioned to its science mode to take a fist data set. The first image was produced with NPP CERES Data on January 29. For more on CERES and how it works, refer to our Instrument Page.
Photo: NASA/NPP/CERES/NOAA
Heat emitted from Earth is shown in shades of yellow, red, blue and white. The yellow areas are the hottest and are radiating the most energy out to space, while the dark blue areas and the bright white clouds are colder.
|
A stunning image produced with NPP data was released in January and has become viral on the internet since then indicating that it might become on of the greatest images of our home planet of all time. Replicating the ‘blue marble’ image that was taken from the Apollo 17 spacecraft when traveling to the Moon in 1972, this current image was created by combining footage taken by the VIIRS Instrument in several consecutive orbits of Earth. This image provides a view of Earth in its entirety as it would be seen from 12,743 Kilometers away.
To create the image, three of VIIRS’ channels were used (Visible Light Red; Green; Blue). The images of each channel for each ground swatch were merged before the images taken on consecutive orbits were combined to create this amazing Photo. The data was obtained by NPP on January 4. (January 25 for the second Image.) With 100 Days in orbit under its belt, NPP is just weeks away from starting nominal science operations. During the first 100 days, success was made, challenges overcome and breath-taking images released. NPP has now warmed up to actually begin its 5-year mission to provide a bridge from NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) of satellites to the next-generation Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) that will start operation later this decade. For more information on NPP and its Mission, visit the NPP Section of our site with lots of contents and Photo Galleries that will be expanded as data becomes available later in the science mission. |
Photo: NASA/NOAA/GSFC/Suomi NPP/VIIRS/Norman Kuring
|
Photo: NASA/NOAA/GSFC/Suomi NPP/VIIRS/Norman Kuring
NPP successfully Launched
|
October 28, 2011
|
Final Steps prior to Countdown Initialization
|
October 27, 2011
|
Teams are completing the final pre-countdown steps in preparation for an on-time liftoff of NASA’s NPP Mission.
The Launch Readiness Review that was completed yesterday, was successful. Only small items were discussed and all of those are now closed and will not be a concern for launch. Also performed yesterday were beacon and Range Safety System checks to make sure the launch can proceed at the highest level of security even in the unlikely event of a major malfunction. Final Vehicle Ordnances were installed and verified, final spacecraft closeouts were performed and the Mobile Service Tower has been put in a pre-launch configuration. Additional testing of the NPP spacecraft was done to ensure the state of charge of the onboard batteries which will be the only power source for spacecraft systems until solar array deployment in orbit.
When the final steps are complete, the first stage of the Delta II will be filled with RP-1 Fuel – a highly refined type of kerosene. Once RP-1 Loading is complete, the MST (Mobile Service Tower) will be retracted to its launch position at a safe distance to the vehicle. The actual countdown sequence starts at L-4 hours with the initialization of the countdown clock. The T- time starts ticking backwards one hour later at the T-2.5 Hour Mark. 30 minutes of built-in holds are included in the countdown sequence. See all countdown events on our NPP Launch Info Page.
The Launch Readiness Review that was completed yesterday, was successful. Only small items were discussed and all of those are now closed and will not be a concern for launch. Also performed yesterday were beacon and Range Safety System checks to make sure the launch can proceed at the highest level of security even in the unlikely event of a major malfunction. Final Vehicle Ordnances were installed and verified, final spacecraft closeouts were performed and the Mobile Service Tower has been put in a pre-launch configuration. Additional testing of the NPP spacecraft was done to ensure the state of charge of the onboard batteries which will be the only power source for spacecraft systems until solar array deployment in orbit.
When the final steps are complete, the first stage of the Delta II will be filled with RP-1 Fuel – a highly refined type of kerosene. Once RP-1 Loading is complete, the MST (Mobile Service Tower) will be retracted to its launch position at a safe distance to the vehicle. The actual countdown sequence starts at L-4 hours with the initialization of the countdown clock. The T- time starts ticking backwards one hour later at the T-2.5 Hour Mark. 30 minutes of built-in holds are included in the countdown sequence. See all countdown events on our NPP Launch Info Page.
Preparations continue on Schedule
|
October 26, 2011
|
Second Stage Fueling has been completed yesterday. Storable Hypergolic propellants will remain inside the stage until launch. Work at the launch complex is on schedule without any major problems. For Friday, weather forecasters are indicating a 100 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time.
Today, the launch team and mission managers are meeting to conduct the launch readiness review to have a look at all systems and any open items that have to be closed prior to starting the countdown. Also today, final pre-countdown checks are being conducted with the launch vehicle. Communication safety and navigation systems are being checked.
Coming up today at 4pm EDT on NASA TV are briefings concerned with NPP and its mission.
The pre-launch news briefing will feature Andrew Carson, NPP Program Executive, Vernon Thorp, Program Manager NASA Missions, Ken Schwer, NPP Project Manager, Tim Dunn, Launch Director and Lt. Lisa Cochran, weather officer. Jim Gleason, NPP Project Scientist, and Mitch Goldberg, NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System program scientist will participate in the NPP Science Briefing.
Today, the launch team and mission managers are meeting to conduct the launch readiness review to have a look at all systems and any open items that have to be closed prior to starting the countdown. Also today, final pre-countdown checks are being conducted with the launch vehicle. Communication safety and navigation systems are being checked.
Coming up today at 4pm EDT on NASA TV are briefings concerned with NPP and its mission.
The pre-launch news briefing will feature Andrew Carson, NPP Program Executive, Vernon Thorp, Program Manager NASA Missions, Ken Schwer, NPP Project Manager, Tim Dunn, Launch Director and Lt. Lisa Cochran, weather officer. Jim Gleason, NPP Project Scientist, and Mitch Goldberg, NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System program scientist will participate in the NPP Science Briefing.
Second Stage Fueling underway
|
October 24, 2011
|
Preparations for the launch of NASA’s NPP Spacecraft are in full swing this week at Vandenberg Air Force Base. A successful Flight Readiness Review on Friday had given the GO to fuel the second stage of the Delta II Rocket. That is a critical step in the preparation flow of this particular Launch Vehicle as it only remains certified for flight for just over a month after 2nd stage loading. It is known that the propellants that are used, Aerozine and Nitrogen Tetroxide, can cause hardware damage when left inside the tanks too long, so the rocket has to lift off within a certain time frame or the stage has to be refurbished.
Second Stage Loading Preparations were completed on October 21 and 22 with good flow and leak checks. Safety systems that are required when hazardous operations like fueling are performed have been put in place as well. Oxidizer Loading is underway today and the Fuel will be tanked tomorrow. The Launch Readiness review is planned for October 25 and final pre-launch testing is scheduled for L-2 (Oct 26). At this point, teams are still working toward an on-time launch on Friday.
Second Stage Loading Preparations were completed on October 21 and 22 with good flow and leak checks. Safety systems that are required when hazardous operations like fueling are performed have been put in place as well. Oxidizer Loading is underway today and the Fuel will be tanked tomorrow. The Launch Readiness review is planned for October 25 and final pre-launch testing is scheduled for L-2 (Oct 26). At this point, teams are still working toward an on-time launch on Friday.
NPP is GO for Launch on October 28
|
October 21, 2011
|
|
In Preparation for launch on October 28, the NPP Spacecraft was enclosed in its protective Payload Fairing on October 20 at Space Launch Complex 2, Vandenberg Air Force Base. The team had postponed the installation of the fairing one day to complete additional engineering reviews that were required to confirm the vehicle is ready for flight. The two halves of the clamshell-shaped PLF were successfully put into place around the satellite atop the Delta II 7920-10C Launch Vehicle to protect the payload from thermal loads during atmospheric flight. It will be jettisoned when the rocket is out of Earth’s atmosphere to increase launch vehicle capabilities.
On October 21, contractor and launch team members met at Vandenberg and conducted the Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting all spacecraft and launch vehicle systems were reviewed and a formal decision was made to work toward a launch on October 28, 2011. The meeting also gave the GO to load the second stage of the vehicle with storable hypergolic propellants which is a major milestone in the preparation flow of the Delta II. Propellant Loading operations will pick up on Monday. Payload Fairing Installation Photos: Click Here |
Photo: NASA Kennedy
|
Launch now targeted for Oct 28
|
October 19, 2011
|
The NPP Satellite has been attached to its launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 2 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base. The payload was transported to the launch pad in the early hours of October 13. Connections were made and the satellite had found its place atop the Delta II launcher. More connections were made and initial checks were performed. Spacecraft testing picked up on October 14 and returned nominal results. On October 15, the Flight Program Verification was performed and launch pad and vehicle ordnances were installed on October 17.
Payload Fairing installation was set for October 19, but a decision was made to wait with the installation of the protective fairing until necessary engineering reviews are complete. As a result, the launch has been retargeted for Friday, October 28 giving teams time to complete their analysis. This problem has to be solved before a go is given to fill the second stage with propellants which means that the rocket has to launch within 37 days in order to keep certification limits of the second stage.
The launch date is still 'no earlier than' as the final decision will be made during the Flight Readiness Review.
Payload Fairing installation was set for October 19, but a decision was made to wait with the installation of the protective fairing until necessary engineering reviews are complete. As a result, the launch has been retargeted for Friday, October 28 giving teams time to complete their analysis. This problem has to be solved before a go is given to fill the second stage with propellants which means that the rocket has to launch within 37 days in order to keep certification limits of the second stage.
The launch date is still 'no earlier than' as the final decision will be made during the Flight Readiness Review.
NPP rolled to Launch Pad
|
October 14, 2011
|
At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the NPP Spacecraft was rolled from the Astrotech Final Processing Assembly to the Launch Pad at Space Launch Complex 2 on October 13, 2011 after final pre-launch checks inside the clean room were completed and the rocket was prepared for payload integration. Following the rollout, the satellite was hoisted up and attached to the Delta II rocket. Today, spacecraft systems checks are being performed to make sure NPP is in good shape after yesterday’s trip. A Flight Program Verification Test will occur on October 15 that involves communication checks between the rocket and the spacecraft. On October 17, the Cube-Sat Satellite Carrier will be installed. The next major milestone will be the installation of the protective Payload Fairing that will protect the Payloads during Ascent on October 19. Launch remains targeted for October 27 with a window open time of 5:48:01am EDT extending for just over 9 minutes.
Photo: NASA Kennedy
NPP during final Pre-Launch Testing inside the Astrotech Processing Facility
Launch pushed back to Oct. 27
|
October 9, 2011
|
The launch of NASA’s NPP Satellite has been re-scheduled to October 27 due to a few open items that have to be addressed prior to launch. During testing of the systems of the Delta II Rocket, a minor Hydraulic Leak was detected. The cause of the leak was a small crack in a hydraulic line. A proper replacement tube was manufactured and installed. Re-testing of the system followed to make sure the subsystem was holding hydraulic pressure and not showing signatures of a leak. Other tubes of the system have been checked and all hydraulic components are in good condition.
In addition to that small problem, a fabric collar that is connecting two engine system exhaust ducts showed some damage that needed a repair. To recover from that issue, the damaged fabric was removed and replaced. Nominal systems testing that is part of the normal launch preparation cycle for the Delta II resumed on October 6.
NPP will be attached to its launcher on October 12.
In addition to that small problem, a fabric collar that is connecting two engine system exhaust ducts showed some damage that needed a repair. To recover from that issue, the damaged fabric was removed and replaced. Nominal systems testing that is part of the normal launch preparation cycle for the Delta II resumed on October 6.
NPP will be attached to its launcher on October 12.
Photo: NASA Kennedy
