A new type of Earth-observing satellite has been launched into orbit. The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project, or NPP, will fly at an altitude of 824 km in a polar orbit similar to that of its predecessors, the Earth Observing System satellites – Terra, Aqua and Aura. Built on the past decade’s work, NPP is a scientific powerhouse armed with five instruments that will improve observations of the land and ocean, the ozone hole, Earth’s energy balance and daily weather.
Tropical cyclones develop in various places around the world, all year long, and NASA’s Hurricane Webpage covers them. NASA’s Hurricane Webpage is a resource for meteorologists or weather fanatics, with updates on tropical cyclones happening anywhere around the world, satellite images, the latest research, animations, educational tools, scientist profiles, satellite information and historic storm information, on all storms going back to 2005.
The GOES-13 satellite that monitors weather over the eastern U.S. recorded a movie of the birth and strengthening of the Atlantic Ocean season's second tropical storm. Tropical Storm Bret was born in the northwestern Bahamas and continues to strengthen.
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction, and deputy administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), emphasized the vital role played by the agency's satellite programs in providing timely weather data that can save lives during severe weather. Sullivan addressed a luncheon gathering of area leaders and first responders co-sponsored by the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast (EDC) and Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS).
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) have agreed to formally explore strengthening their cooperation in areas of common interest. JRC Director-General, expresses the organisations’ interest to further explore and propose cooperative activities in the following fields:
President Obama and India’s Prime Minister Singh will enter into a new collaborative agreement between NOAA and the India Ministry of Earth Sciences that aims to improve India’s monsoon forecasts. The agreement is part of a series of food security agreements formalized this week during the president’s visit.
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