NOAA-12
NOAA-12, also known as NOAA-D, was a U.S. weather satellite operated by the NOAA for use in the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service. It was part of a series of satellites called Advanced TIROS-N, being the fifth of the series. NOAA-12 was launched on an Atlas E rocket on May 14, 1991 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
The satellite design provides an economical and stable sun-synchronous platform for advanced operational instruments to measure the earth's atmosphere, its surface and cloud cover, and the near-space environment. The Satellite Operations Control Center is located in Suitland, Maryland. Major command stations for satellite control are located near Fairbanks, Alaska and on Wallops Island, Virginia; a backup station for connection when the satellite is unavailable from the main stations is located at Point Barrow, Alaska.
The last contact occurred on August 10, 2007.Instruments
