Weather Satellite Blasts Off From SoCal Coast

<EM>Associated Press - February 6, 2009 5:43 AM ET </EM>VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) - A rocket carrying a U.S. global weather satellite has blasted off from California&#39;s Vandenberg Air Force...

Friday, February 6th 2009, 6:07 am

By: News On 6


VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) - A rocket carrying a U.S. global weather satellite has blasted off from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The NOAA-N Prime satellite was launched aboard a Delta 2 rocket from the central coast base at 2:22 a.m. Friday.

NOAA-N Prime is the last in a series of polar-orbiting satellites that have been observing Earth's weather since 1960. Its data will be used for long-range weather and climate forecasts.

The satellite also carries sensors that can receive distress signals from mariners and hikers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration manages the $564 million mission. The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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