Contact With Weather Satellite Lost
Controllers have lost contact with the nation’s newest weather satellite.
The satellite, NOAA-13, was last contacted Saturday at 7:15 p.m. EDT, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The polar-orbiting satellite was launched by the Air Force on Aug. 9 and had operated successfully until contact was lost, officials said.
Attempts to contact the satellite were being made by scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Martin Marietta Astro Space, the manufacturer.
The satellite was designed to help monitor the earth’s oceans and atmosphere, and joined satellites NOAA-11 and NOAA-12 in polar orbits.
Polar orbiting satellites arc in a circle around the planet as it turns beneath them, permitting a view of the entire planet during the course of a day. The older satellites continue in operation.
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