As this issue of Satellite News was going to press, Boeing announced it successfully launched the NOAA-N satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 20. The launch was originally scheduled for May 11, but a series of weather and equipment related delays forced Boeing to scrub multiple launch attempts before finally launching the satellite into space.

A Boeing Delta 2 rocket carried the satellite into orbit at 6:22 a.m. EDT from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Following a 65-minute flight, the rocket deployed the spacecraft to a circular orbit with a Sun-synchronous inclination.

The NOAA-N satellite will provide data to help improve weather forecasting and will help monitor environmental events worldwide. It is the forth in a series of five polar- orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities.