NOAA-18

NOAA-18 was successfully launched in May 2005 as part of the U.S. Polar Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) series. It was built by Lockheed Martin to provide continuous environmental monitoring. The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The satellite orbits Earth in a sun-synchronous trajectory to provide global atmospheric, oceanic, and surface data. It tracks weather patterns, measures atmospheric temperatures, and monitors ozone levels to aid meteorologists. This data is crucial for global weather forecasting and climate research.

NOAA-18 carries the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU). These instruments are critical for taking global measurements of cloud cover, sea surface temperatures, and atmospheric moisture. They ensure continuous data collection for the National Weather Service.

While it was launched in 2005, NOAA-18 operated for over a decade before being decommissioned and placed in a standby status as newer satellites took over. It far exceeded its planned operational lifespan of two years. Its duties have largely been assumed by the newer Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) constellation.