The NOAA-N Prime spacecraft began its mission to help monitor Earth's weather by riding to space atop a Delta II rocket.
For this launch. NASA used a two-stage rocket equipped with three strap-on solid rocket boosters.
The successful liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California came at 2:22 a.m. Pacific Time on Feb. 6. 2009.
The NOAA-N Prime satellite is designed to improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world.
The satellite is collecting meteorological data for NOAA's long-range weather and climate forecasts.
including forecasts for El Nino and La Nina.
Forecasters worldwide can also access the satellite's images and data.
The NOAA-N Prime spacecraft. which is the fifth and final in the current series of polar-orbiting satellites.
also has sensors to monitor for distress signals around the world.
Nearly 25.000 lives have been saved through the satellite-based search and rescue system.