NASA has cleared its newest effective Earth-observing satellite for a launch into orbit from the California coast on Monday (Sept. 27). The satellite, called Landsat 9, is on track to take off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base atop an Atlas V rocket offered by the United Launch Alliance. Liftoff is targeted for 2:12 p.m. EDT (11:12 a.m. PDT or 1812 GMT)” The spacecraft, the Atlas V rocket, all range equipment, are all set,” NASA launch director Tim Dunn told reporters in an interview Saturday (Sept. 25). The objective has a 30-minute window in which to take off from Vandenbergs Space Launch Complex 3E, he added. Four little cubesats will also launch into orbit with Landsat 9. 2 will study the solar wind and exoplanet atmospheres as part of NASA research. 2 others are flying concealed missions for the U.S. Space Force, Dunn said.In images: Earth Pictures From Space: Landsat Satellite LegacyAn artists illustration of NASAs Landsat 9 Earth observation satellite in orbit. (Image credit: NASA) Landsat 9 will be the ninth and most advanced satellite to study Earth from above for the Landsat program, a collaboration by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey that has provided constant images of our planet for nearly 50 years. It brings a high-resolution cam and a sensitive infrared sensor that together can image the Earth throughout 11 spectral bands and deal with things down to about 50 feet (15 meters) large. The satellite should orbit the Earth at elevation of about 438 miles (705 kilometers) over the worlds poles.” For nearly 50 years, Landsat satellites have documented Earths changing landscape,” Michael Egan, NASAs Landsat program manager, stated in journalism conference. “Landsat 9 will broaden and enhance upon this exceptional record of our home planet.” Landsat 9 will have the ability to image the entire Earth every 16 days. When integrated with information from its predecessor Landsat 8, which launched in 2013 and is still in use today, the 2 satellites can cover the whole Earth every eight days, Egan stated. Landsat 9 is designed to last at least 5 years in orbit and change the aging Landsat 7, which is likewise in usage today.Landsat satellites have actually been studying the Earth because 1972. That continuous protection is key to tracking Earths changes, especially as the planet experiences more extreme weather, effective storms, fires and other impacts from climate change, mission authorities stated.” As we understand, climate modification is genuine,” said Tanya Trujillo, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior in the press conference. “The Landsat program is an exceptional tool to help guide our efforts to comprehend and document the modifications we are seeing daily.” Northrop Grumman developed the $750 million Landsat 9 for NASA, with the missions group shaving about $90 million off its preliminary budget, Thomas Zurbuchen, NASAs associate administrator for science missions, informed reporters Saturday. Its been a long road to the launchpad for Landsat 9. The satellite was initially supposed to introduce on Sept. 16, but was postponed to Sept. 23 due to a liquid nitrogen shortage related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. High winds triggered another hold-up to Sept. 27. The mission will also introduce a minute later than prepared to avoid an accident chance with NASAs Calypso/CloudSat satellite in orbit, Dunn said. Presently, weather condition projections predict a 60% chance of great conditions at launch time. If NASA and the United Launch Alliance are not able to launch Landsat 9 on Monday, a backup launch window is available on Tuesday, with similar weather condition conditions anticipated. Email Tariq Malik at [email protected] or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Instagram..
2 others are flying concealed missions for the U.S. Space Force, Dunn said.In photos: Earth Pictures From Space: Landsat Satellite LegacyAn artists illustration of NASAs Landsat 9 Earth observation satellite in orbit. (Image credit: NASA) Landsat 9 will be the ninth and most sophisticated satellite to study Earth from above for the Landsat program, a joint effort by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey that has actually provided continuous imagery of our world for almost 50 years.” For nearly 50 years, Landsat satellites have documented Earths changing landscape,” Michael Egan, NASAs Landsat program supervisor, stated in the press conference. When integrated with data from its predecessor Landsat 8, which introduced in 2013 and is still in use today, the 2 satellites can cover the entire Earth every eight days, Egan stated. Landsat 9 is developed to last at least 5 years in orbit and change the aging Landsat 7, which is likewise in use today.Landsat satellites have actually been studying the Earth given that 1972.