NOAA-18

NOAA-18
Computer-generated image of NOAA-18 in orbit
NamesNOAA-N
Mission typeWeather
OperatorNOAA
COSPAR ID2005-018A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.28654
Mission duration2 years (planned) [1]
19 years, 5 months, 16 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeTIROS
BusAdvanced TIROS-N
ManufacturerLockheed Martin Space
Launch mass2,232 kg (4,921 lb) [2]
Dry mass1479 kg
Dimensions4.19 m (13.7 ft) of long
1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) of diameter
2.73 by 6.14 m (solar array)
Power833 watts
Start of mission
Launch date20 May 2005, 10:22:01 UTC[4]
RocketDelta II 7320-10C
(Delta D312)
Launch siteVandenberg, SLC-2W
ContractorLockheed Martin Space
Entered service30 August 2005 [3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[5]
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit
Altitude854 km (531 mi)
Inclination98.74°
Period102.12 minutes
← NOAA-17
NOAA-19 →

NOAA-18, also known as NOAA-N before launch, is an operational, polar orbiting, weather satellite series (NOAA K-N) operated by the National Environmental Satellite Service (NESS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA-18 also continued the series of Advanced TIROS-N (ATN) spacecraft begun with the launch of NOAA-8 (NOAA-E) in 1983 but with additional new and improved instrumentation over the NOAA A-M series and a new launch vehicle (Titan 23G). NOAA-18 is in an afternoon equator-crossing orbit and replaced NOAA-17 as the prime afternoon spacecraft.[6]

  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "NOAA 18, 19 (NOAA N, N')". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Satellite: NOAA 18". World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 19 August 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  3. ^ "POES Operational Status". 22 March 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  4. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Trajectory was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Display: NOAA-18 2005-018A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.