NASA set for second NOAA weather satellite launch attempt

February 4, 8:35 PMSpace News ExaminerPatricia Phillips

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NASA will try again to launch the NOAA-N Prime weather satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California tonight. A gaseous nitrogen pressurization system failure on the launch pad scuttled last night's flight attempt of the hard-luck satellite, which is years overdue after an accident at a Lockheed Martin plant.

Launch is set for 2:22 a.m. PST. Right now, there's only a 40% chance of favorable weather, with thick clouds looming.

The satellite will join a fleet of Earth observers that have been on duty since 1960. New generations of satellites have sailed the skies  as the NASA-NOAA efforts have continue to improve weather-watching and prediction capabilities.

The fleet is a benefit of NASA's space program that is today taken for granted. You can watch tonight's launch live on NASA TV. Live coverage of countdown and launch events will begin at about midnight PST.

This video gives a historical over-view of the weather satellites program and a look at what NOAA-N Prime will add to the fleet.