BY JUSTIN RAY

September 21, 2000 -- Follow the countdown and launch of a U.S. Air Force Titan 2 rocket with the NOAA-L weather satellite. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000

The new global weather satellite launched Thursday has already opened its eye on planet Earth, beaming back pictures of Greenland and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Read our full story of NOAA-L's launch to space.

1150 GMT (7:50 a.m. EDT)

Ground controllers report the NOAA-L polar-orbiting weather satellite has successfully completed its trek to space today. Officials say the craft is in the correct orbit and its power-generating solar array has been deployed as planned.

The $209 million satellite will enter service in about two months after a full on-orbit checkout, collecting data needed to generate long-term weather forecasts and for global environmental research. It will be renamed NOAA-16 and replace the six-year old NOAA-14 satellite that has passed its design life and drifted out of the desired orbital perch around Earth.

Be sure to check out the four QuickTime video clips we have posted of the launch. You can find them on the right-hand side of this page.

1130 GMT (7:30 a.m. EDT)

Watch a QuickTime video clip of today's launch of the Titan 2 rocket.

1044 GMT (6:44 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 22 minutes. The power-producing solar array on the NOAA-L satellite should be deployed. However, full confirmation from the spacecraft won't come for around an hour or so, NASA says. So we will pause our coverage at this point and will post the next report in an hour once the satellite completes a communications pass over a ground station and verifies its health.

1041 GMT (6:41 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 19 minutes. Coming up on deployment of the solar array on NOAA-L.

1038 GMT (6:38 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 16 minutes, 15 seconds. NOAA-L's kick motor has burned out as planned, consuming its solid-fuel propellant. The motor is a critical part of the launch because it places the satellite into the circular orbit around Earth, taking over from the ballistic trajectory the two-stage Titan 2 achieves. The satellite will now perform a velocity trim burn using is hydrazine thrusters.

1037 GMT (6:37 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 15 minutes, 40 seconds. NASA confirms the kick motor on the NOAA-L satellite is firing.

1034 GMT (6:34 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 12 minutes. Nothing really to report at this point in the flight. Clocks are counting down to ignition of the Apogee Kick Motor attached to NOAA-L, which is three minutes away.

1028 GMT (6:28 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes, 40 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION CONFIRMED! The NOAA-L weather satellite has been released from the Titan 2 rocket, officials report. But this does not conclude the craft's journey. The satellite's onboard solid-fueled Apogee Kick Motor will ignite at T+plus 15 minutes, 4 seconds to deliver the craft into the circular orbit around Earth.

1027 GMT (6:27 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 5 minutes, 40 seconds. The Titan 2 rocket's second stage has burned out as planned, completing the powered phase of today's launch for the converted ICBM missile. The stage's four attitude control system engine modules will now fire to achieve the proper orientation to deploy the NOAA-L spacecraft in about a minute.

1026 GMT (6:26 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes, 30 seconds. Less than one minute remaining in the second stage burn. No problems have been reported thus far in the flight.

1026 GMT (6:26 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes. The tri-sector payload fairing enclosing the NOAA-L spacecraft has been jettisoned.

1025 GMT (6:25 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 3 minutes. Altitude passing 300,000 feet.

1024 GMT (6:24 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes, 40 seconds. The first stage has burned out and separated. The rocket's second stage has ignited to boost the NOAA-L spacecraft.

1024 GMT (6:24 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes. Official liftoff time was 1022:04.637 GMT.

1023 GMT (6:23 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 90 seconds. One minute left in the first stage burn.

1023 GMT (6:23 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 60 seconds. Titan 2 approaching maximum dynamic pressure.

1022 GMT (6:22 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 30 seconds. Vehicle on course as it heads south away from California's Central Coast.

1022 GMT (6:22 a.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF. Liftoff of the Titan 2 rocket with the NOAA-L global weather satellite -- covering planet Earth from pole to pole.

1021 GMT (6:21 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 1 minute. Commit sequence start.

The Titan 2 rocket will need just 6 minutes, 31 seconds to carry the NOAA-L satellite into space. The spacecraft will then perform a burn of its kick motor to complete the journey to a circular orbit 470 miles above the planet.

1020 GMT (6:20 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 90 seconds. The Western Range has reported its final go for launch.

1020 GMT (6:20 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 2 minutes and counting. The NOAA-L spaecraft has declared its final committment for launch. Also, the rocket's flight termination system has been checked. No problems reported. The FTS would be used to destroy the vehicle if a problem occurred during the launch today.

1018 GMT (6:18 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 4 minutes and counting. Air Force Launch Controller Lt. Richard Sjogren has performed the "clear-to-launch" poll and "go" was the word given all around.

1016 GMT (6:16 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 6 minutes and counting. The NOAA-L spacecraft is armed and ready for launch. And the NOAA-L team has given its "go" for liftoff at 1022 GMT.

1015 GMT (6:15 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 7 minutes and counting. The payload support systems are declared ready for launch.

1014 GMT (6:14 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 8 minutes and counting. The final booster readiness check of the Titan 2 rocket has been completed with no problems reported. "Go Titan!"

1010 GMT (6:10 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 12 minutes and counting.

1007 GMT (6:07 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 15 minutes and counting. The final phase of the countdown has begun for today's launch of a U.S. Air Force Titan 2 rocket and the NOAA-L weather satellite. There are no problems to speak of this morning and launch is scheduled to occur at 1022 GMT from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

1002 GMT (6:02 a.m. EDT)

Air Force Launch Controller Lt. Richard Sjogren has performed the "clear-to-proceed" poll and the "go" was given to enter Terminal Count at T-minus 15 minutes as planned. Liftoff remains set for 1022 GMT.

0959 GMT (5:59 a.m. EDT)

NASA Launch Manager Chuck Dovale of the Kennedy Space Center has just completed another poll of his team stationed in the Mission Directors' Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base. All parties reported "go" status. NASA is responsible for managing the NOAA-L satellite's development and launch into space for NOAA.

0957 GMT (5:57 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 25 minutes and counting. All systems remain ready for liftoff. Coming up a "clear-to-proceed" poll of the launch team before entering Terminal Count at T-minus 15 minutes.

0952 GMT (5:52 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. Launch Weather Officer Christine Crosiar has formally verified to Air Force Launch Controller Lt. Richard Sjogren in the blockhouse that all conditions are "go".

Now just a half-hour away from the predawn launch of the Titan 2 rocket from California's Central Coast. The launch team is not working any technical problems and the countdown remains on track for liftoff at 1022 GMT.

0942 GMT (5:42 a.m. EDT)

Air Force Launch Weather Officer Christine Crosiar just reported all weather conditions are currently acceptable and expected to remain that way for liftoff today. The launch time forecast indicates the deck of stratus clouds at 800 feet with full sky coverage to 2,000 feet, visibility of 3 to 5 miles, fog, a temperature in the low 60s F and south-southeasterly winds 2 to 4 knots.

0932 GMT (5:32 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 50 minutes and counting. Looking ahead the launch team is awaiting a weather briefing. A readiness poll will then follow at T-minus 20 minutes before entering Terminal Count at T-minus 15 minutes.

0922 GMT (5:22 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 1 hour and counting. Things are proceeding smoothly in the countdown for the Titan 2 rocket and NOAA-L this morning. The launch team is marching through their checklists and no significant problems been reported.

0912 GMT (5:12 a.m. EDT)

A countdown status poll by NASA Launch Manager Chuck Dovale indicates all systems remain go for launch of the Titan 2 rocket at 1022 GMT today from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch team is not working any issues, weather conditions are favorable and upper level winds are acceptable. In addition there are no Collision Avoidance cutouts, or COLAs, that would prevent liftoff during any period of today's 10-minute launch window.

0843 GMT (4:43 a.m. EDT)

The entire 74-member team is now on station inside the Launch Operations Building at Space Launch Complex 4. This blockhouse is located just a couple hundred yards from the SLC-4W pad where the Titan 2 stands poised for its journey to orbit. With the team now in place, the blockhouse doors are being sealed.

Also at this time the first stage oxizider tank is being pressurized for launch and the tracking and flight safety check of the Titan 2 rocket is beginning.

0805 GMT (4:05 a.m. EDT)

Crews are currently in the process of evacuating the Space Launch Complex-4 West pad as the countdown continues towards liftoff in just over two hours. Officials report they are working no problems and activities remain on schedule.

0750 GMT (3:50 a.m. EDT)

The 200-foot tall mobile service tower has been rolled away from the Titan 2 rocket at Space Launch Complex-4 West. The tower provides the primary access and weather protection for the rocket while at the seaside pad. It also has a 30-ton crane used to lift stages of the rocket and the satellite payload for stacking operations. The structure takes about a half-hour to roll 180 feet away from the Titan 2.

Launch remains on schedule for liftoff at 1022 GMT (3:22 a.m. PDT; 6:22 a.m. EDT).

0722 GMT (3:22 a.m. EDT)

Now inside the final three hours of the countdown to launch for the NOAA-L weather satellite aboard a U.S. Air Force Titan 2 rocket. Crews have completed the rocket preps at Space Launch Complex-4 West and are currently rolling back the mobile service tower from around the Titan 2.

Meanwhile, officials report one of the two ARIA telemetry relay aircraft scheduled to support today's launch declared some sort of in-flight emergency and was forced to land. It is expected use of that plane will be waved today, allowing the countdown to continue. The ARIA aircraft fly over the Pacific Ocean and transmit data from the NOAA-L spacecraft back to Vandenberg Air Force Base.

0630 GMT (2:30 a.m. EDT)

The countdown is ticking along at Vandenberg Air Force Base for today's rescheduled launch of the Titan 2 rocket. At the launch pad workers are currently preparing to roll back the mobile service tower in advance of the planned 1022 GMT (3:22 a.m. PDT; 6:22 a.m. EDT) liftoff.

0200 GMT (10:00 p.m. EDT)

Another attempt to launch a Titan 2 rocket with the NOAA-L weather satellite will occur on Thursday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch window extends from 1022 to 1023 GMT (3:22-3:32 a.m. PDT; 6:22-6:32 a.m. EDT).

The $267 million mission was delayed 24 hours due to overloading of transistors on the rocket that was caused by a countdown procedural error, officials concluded.

The weather forecast calls for a 100 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time with no significant concerns. The forecast predicts clouds at 500 feet with 7/8ths sky coverage up to 1,400 feet, less than a mile visibility, variable winds two to five knots, a temperature of 55 to 58 degrees F and fog.

We will provide live updates during the final countdown and launch. In addition, we will offer a live streaming video broadcast.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2000
2100 GMT (5:00 p.m. EDT)

A meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. PDT tonight, officials say, to determine if the Titan 2 rocket will be cleared for another launch attempt to tomorrow from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. We will update this page as soon as additional information becomes available.

1040 GMT (6:40 a.m. EDT)

Here is the latest from Vandenberg. Officials are hoping to launch the Titan 2 rocket and the NOAA-L weather satellite tomorrow after today's countdown was scrubbed. The technical problem that caused the postponement was the overloading of what is now known as several transistors on the Titan 2 rocket with higher levels of voltage than allowed during a countdown event earlier this morning, a NASA spokesman said.

Engineers have concluded the transistors are undamaged but officials needed more time to determine how the overloading occurred and why processes allow it to happen.

Further analysis will continue today and an evening meeting is planned by senior managers to determine if the rocket can be cleared for liftoff Thursday morning during a window of 1022 to 1032 GMT.

1015 GMT (6:15 a.m. EDT)

Again, the countdown has been halted for the day due to a technical problem with the Titan 2 rocket. There is no word yet on when the launch will be rescheduled. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

1012 GMT (6:12 a.m. EDT)

SCRUB! Today's launch of the Titan 2 rocket has been scrubbed. Officials want to further discuss the overcharged transistor incident and that could not be accomplished in today's short 10-minute launch window.

1009 GMT (6:09 a.m. EDT)

Air Force Launch Controller Lt. Richard Sjogren has informed the launch team that officials will now target liftoff for the end of today's window at 1032 GMT (3:32 a.m. PDT; 6:32 a.m. EDT). The extra 10 minutes will allow officials to continue debating the transistor issue.

1007 GMT (6:07 a.m. EDT)

Officials report the transistor was indeed overcharged beyond its specification. Discussions continue to determine if it is safe to fly anyway and also the processes that led the transistor to be overloaded in the first place a few hours ago. It is still unclear what system the transistor is a part of.

1002 GMT (6:02 a.m. EDT)

The Terminal Count -- the final phase of today's launch countdown -- is slated to begin at T-minus 15 minutes. No update on the transistor problem. The available launch window extends ten minutes to 1032 GMT today in which to get the Titan 2 rocket and NOAA-L weather satellite on their way to space.

0957 GMT (5:57 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 25 minutes and counting. With one exception, the transistor problem, the countdown is proceeding smoothly. Weather conditions are acceptable and clocks are headed towards a 1022 GMT liftoff if officials clear the concern with an overloaded electrical transistor on the Titan 2 rocket.

0952 GMT (5:52 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The management team is currently being briefed on the overloaded transistor problem, officials report.

0942 GMT (5:42 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 40 minutes and counting. Troubleshooting continues with a transistor on the Titan 2 rocket that was accidently overloaded with more electrical current than normal, NASA reports. Officials are checking the acceptable level of current allowed to flow to that transister to see if damage could have been done in the overload.

0938 GMT (5:38 a.m. EDT)

Air Force Launch Weather Officer Christine Crosiar just reported all weather conditions are currently acceptable for liftoff. At the launch pad there is less than a mile of visibility, fog, a temperature of 53 to 57 degrees F and northeasterly winds 2 to 4 knots.

Also the latest toxics and debris safety assessments are favorable for launch. These computer modeling assessments are done to ensure if the rocket were to fail in the flight the debris and toxic cloud would not fall outside of preset safety areas.

0932 GMT (5:32 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 50 minutes and counting. The launch team is working a technical issue. A transistor on Titan 2 rocket was overloaded with electrical current and engineers are off discussing if this is an problem that will prohibit liftoff today. A decision by management is expected in the next half-hour.

Meanwhile, there is a Collision Avoidance Period, or COLA, that will prevent liftoff from 1023 to 1025 GMT today (6:23-6:25 a.m. EDT) to ensure the vehicle does not pass too close to an orbiting object. However, liftoff can still occur on time at 1022 GMT, officials report.

0927 GMT (5:27 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 55 minutes and counting. The two-stage Titan 2 rocket was loaded with its storable propellants late last week during routine pre-launch preparations. The nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer and Aerozine 50 fuel (made up of Unsymetrical Dimethal Hydrazine and Monomethal Hydrazine) were pumped into the from storage tanks located at the pad. Space Launch Complex-4 West has two 11,000-gallon fuel tanks and one 28,000-gallon oxidizer tank.

0922 GMT (5:22 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 1 hour and counting.

0911 GMT (5:11 a.m. EDT)

The countdown is progressing for today's launch of a U.S. Air Force Titan 2 rocket carrying the NOAA-L weather satellite. Liftoff remains set to occur right on time at 1022 GMT from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The countdown is being controlled by the 74-member team located in the Space Launch Complex 4 Launch Operations Building. This blockhouse is located just a couple hundred yards from the SLC-4W pad where the Titan 2 stands poised for its journey to orbit.

Air Force Launch Controller Lt. Richard Sjogren is overseeing the blockhouse crew. Last month Sjogren explained his role in launching the Titan 2 rocket during an interview with Spaceflight Now:

"As the launch controller, I command and control activities of the countdown itself...I get a lot of inputs from everybody else and pass that information up the chain of command to the (launch director) who makes the ultimate management decisions."

The launch director today is Maj. Dave Salm. He and other senior officials are stationed in Vandenberg's Building 7000 several miles away. The final launch decision authority rests with the Spacelift Commander -- the Air Force 30th Space Wing's Col. Steve Lanning.

0850 GMT (4:50 a.m. EDT)

In about 10 minutes will be begin streaming live countdown audio from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Live video coverage will begin at 0930 GMT. See our broadcast page for a link.

0815 GMT (4:15 a.m. EDT)

The 200-foot tall mobile service tower has been rolled away from the Titan 2 rocket at Space Launch Complex-4 West as the countdown continues on schedule for liftoff at 1022 GMT (3:22 a.m. PDT; 6:22 a.m. EDT). NASA officials say there are no technical problems being addressed and weather conditions should cooperate today.

The tower provides the primary access and weather protection for the rocket while at the seaside pad. It also has a 30-ton crane used to lift stages of the rocket and the satellite payload for stacking operations. The structure takes about a half-hour to roll 180 feet away from the Titan 2.

0100 GMT (9:00 p.m. EDT)

Tonight's $267 million launch of the NOAA-L satellite aboard a Titan 2 rocket is vital to ensuring continued data for long-range global weather forecasting and environmental research. Liftoff remains scheduled for 1022 GMT (3:22 a.m. PDT; 6:22 a.m. EDT) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

NOAA-L, to be renamed NOAA-16 once in space, will be delivered into a precise orbit to replace the six-year old NOAA-14 satellite that has degraded over time. It has drifted out of the desired circular perch around Earth's poles and researchers want a fresh satellite in place.

"It's critical for us to get this satellite up," said Mike Mignogno, NOAA's manager of the Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite program.

The satellite's onboard instruments will make imagery of clouds, measure ground and sea surface temperatures and detect water vapor in the atmosphere, all critical ingredients in generating weather forecasts.

Its sophisticated package of sensors will not only monitor the Earth's weather but also study the space environment such as the powerful streams of particles from the Sun that can disrupt orbiting satellites and communications on Earth.

The satellite also carries a receiver that relays distress signals for search and rescue efforts.

The weather forecast for launch shows a 100 percent chance of acceptable conditions. However, that forecast is somewhat deceiving for those at the launch site hoping to see the rocket soar into the night sky.

Earlier meteorologists had predicted westerly winds at Vandenberg at launch time, keeping away fog and low clouds. But the forecast changed today and the winds have shifted to a north-northwesterly direction, bringing fog to the launch pad. Although it will hamper the view, the fog does not pose a problem to get the rocket airborne.

At launch time, the Air Force Launch Weather Officer is calling for stratus clouds from 100 to 800 feet with 7/8ths sky coverage, visibility of 1 to 3 miles, north-northwesterly winds 2 to 5 knots and temperature between 55 and 60 degrees F.

And a reminder, we will provide extensive live coverage of the final countdown and launch on this page tonight. In addition, we will have a QuickTime streaming broadcast of the liftoff.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2000
1830 GMT (2:30 p.m. EDT)

The 26-hour countdown is proceeding smoothly at Vandenberg Air Force in California where a Titan 2 rocket is being readied for liftoff early Wednesday carrying the NOAA-L weather satellite.

Officials today put to rest a lingering concern with an S-band telemetry transmitter on the rocket, NASA Launch Manager Chuck Dovale said. It was the final issue that was standing in the way of liftoff. The transmitter on the rocket is fine. The concern grew from a faulty transmitter removed from the vehicle in July and technicians needed to complete a failure analysis to ensure the problem would not repeat. The transmitter is used to relay data from the Titan 2's systems during the flight.

The weather forecast remains favorable with no chance of conditions violating the launch rules.

Countdown activities will get underway in earnest tonight at T-minus 6 hours, 30 minutes when preparations begin to retract the mobile service tower from around the rocket at Space Launch Complex-4 West. Tower removal is expected at T-minus 3 hours, 30 minutes.

The Terminal Count will start at T-minus 15 minutes leading to liftoff at 1022 GMT (3:22 a.m. PDT; 6:22 a.m. EDT). The launch window extends for 10 minutes.

Once the Titan 2 lifts off, it will head due south away from the Central California launch site. It will take the two-stage vehicle some 6 1/2 minutes to deploy the NOAA-L weather satellite. The spacecraft's onboard kick motor will ignite about 15 minutes after launch to boost the satellite the rest of the way to orbit.

0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT)

A refurbished U.S. Air Force Titan 2 rocket is scheduled to make a predawn trek to space Wednesday from California, propelling a new weather satellite into orbit that will observe planet Earth from pole to pole.

Liftoff is slated to occur at 1022 GMT (3:22 a.m. PDT; 6:22 a.m. EDT) from Space Launch Complex-4 West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, located about 140 miles northwest of Los Angeles. There will be a 10-minute window in which to launch.

The two-stage Titan 2 is topped with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NOAA-L weather satellite. NASA is managing the satellite's launch and NOAA will operate the craft once in space.

Officials Monday held the Launch Readiness Review to discuss all aspects of the mission, including rocket, satellite, Western Range, ground equipment and weather.

All systems were ready for the launch with one exception: a telemetry transmitter on the rocket that relays data from vehicle systems back to Earth. The S-band transmitter has exhibited intermittent data dropouts during ground testing, probably because of a broken part inside the unit, a NASA spokesman said.

However, the glitch is not expected to prevent an on-time launch and engineers were to work through the night to develop a rationale why it is okay to fly the rocket as is. The report will be presented to senior managers this morning for approval.

The weather forecast for Wednesday morning is perfect with a 100 percent chance of acceptable conditions for launch. At launch time, Air Force meteorologists are calling for clear skies, 7 miles visibility or better, easterly winds 4 to 8 knots and a temperature of 58 to 62 degrees F.

NOAA-L will replace the six-year old NOAA-14 satellite that has passed its expected useful life span.

The NOAA craft cover the entire globe ever 12 hours to provide meteorologists with the data needed to generate long range weather forecasts. Researchers also use the satellites as a vital tool in environmental monitoring.

NOAA-L, built by Lockheed Martin, is the second in a series of five Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) with improved imaging and sounding capabilities that will operate over the next 12 years.

Spaceflight Now will provide extensive live coverage of the NOAA-L launch including countdown status reports and a streaming QuickTime video broadcast of the liftoff. Check back later today for a complete launch preview.