Also called NOAA J
Launch data:
| Designation
|
23455
/ 94089A
|
|
Launch
date
|
30
Dec 1994 at 10:02 UT
|
| Launch site | Va, SLC-3W |
| Launch vehicle |
Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS |
| Mission
| Meteorology
|
| Earth orbit on: |
|
Perigee/Apogee
|
847/861
km
|
|
Inclination
|
98.9°
|
|
Period
|
102
min
|
Replaced NOAA 11
whose cloud cover imaging instrument had failed a few months before this
launch. Besides an imaging radiometer, it carries optical sounders to monitor
temperature and moisture content in the atmosphere, and counters to measure
energetic electrons and protons.
A gas leak caused some difficulties in attitude control shortly after launch,
but this has been resolved. The motor for the Microwave Sounding Unit on the
NOAA 14 spacecraft has stopped working. Records show the unit is from a
delivery made to Martin Marietta dating back to 1984! The microwave sounder
returned to normal operation in May 1995 after a software patch was installed
to cope with any repeat failure. Its life expectancy remains uncertain.
In Feb 1995, the SARP failed, the SBUV/2 Cloud Cover Radiometer (CCR) failed,
and DTR 4A/B was deemed inoperable.
NOAA 14 also has a power-supply problem in its
Sarsat receiver.
Ref: #15 - update: 27.05.09