Prior to presenting the launch video itself, the following video link gives a real, behind the scenes look at the launcher integration and final launch preparations. Viewing this 6 minute video will put the launch itself into perspective => NPP Launch Preparations
Right, the “quick” version of the launch itself:
NASA’s National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft was launched aboard a Delta II rocket at 5:48 a.m. EDT today, on a mission to measure both global climate changes and key weather variables. Just watch the above live NASA video of today’s NPP launch from Vandenberg.
For those who want to watch more of the launch, including the 2nd Stage 1st burn (for me the most interesting) then watch this 16 minute video => More of the NPP Launch. Just watch the telemetry data, listen to the commentary and see the vehicle exceed 17,000mph!
Now here’s a coincidence. It’s only a few hours ago that I published the previous blog post which mentioned a visit near Vandenberg USAF Base and satellite launch facility.
Good for ULA’s Delta II launcher!
