The Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2), a weather satellite that will monitor the weather phenomenon of Earth from space, will be launched by NASA on Thursday, November 10. Along with the mission is the test of a new inflatable heat shield, which makes it worth waiting and watching.
The JPSS-2 is an environmental satellite that will be launched to the polar Earth orbit. The satellite will be launched atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Here's How to Watch JPSS-2 Weather Satellite Launch
The launch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) JPSS-2 mission and NASA's Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) will be live-streamed by NASA on its TV channel, as per Digital Trends.
You can start tuning in early in the morning of November 10. The coverage will begin at 3:45 a.m. ET (12:45 a.m. PT). However, the launch itself will start at 4:25 a.m. ET (1:25 a.m. PT). You can head to NASA's YouTube page to watch the launch.
The weather satellite will be launched using a ULA Atlas V rocket. Aside from the satellite, the mission will also involve testing of LOFTID, an experimental piece of NASA technology.
The LOFTID is an inflatable heat shield designed to ensure that the craft is safe from the heat of re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, which is caused by friction.
This new technology from NASA could be useful for future missions to other planets like Mars. In addition, it could be used by returning craft to Earth.
The JPSS-2 mission is a joint project of NASA and NOAA. The two agencies aim to bring a new satellite into the polar orbit around the Earth.
Once launched, the satellite will join other NOAA and NASA satellites in space. These satellites are used to monitor weather phenomena as well as atmospheric readings.
They are greatly helpful in forecasting the weather and predicting extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes.
Faulty Battery of Atlas V Rocket Delays Launch of JPSS-2
The launch of JPSS-2 as well as the test of the new heat shield were originally scheduled for last week on November 1, according to Space.com.
However, due to an issue with the battery of Atlas V's Centaur upper stage, it had to be delayed to November 9. On Tuesday, November 3, NASA announced that the launch date was pushed back again by one day.
According to a blog by NASA, "both the JPSS-2 and LOFTID are healthy and ready for launch." The technicians have activated a replacement for the faulty battery.
In order to ensure that the launch will proceed as planned, the technicians will exchange and retest the battery.
NOAA will operate the JPSS-2. It will study planet Earth from the polar orbit of the planet using five different science instruments. According to the mission team members, the data from the satellite will aid scientists in monitoring the impact of climate change.
Meanwhile, LOFTID will ride in an Atlas V rocket to the polar orbit. Afterward, it will return to Earth at high speed, deploying parachutes. It will splash down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.
During the upcoming test run, researchers will study the performance of LOFTID to determine the potential of inflatable heat shields in landing heavy payloads on other planets.
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