NOAA14

NOAA-14, also known as NOAA-K, was the fourteenth satellite in the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) series of polar-orbiting weather satellites. Launched on December 30, 1994, it was part of the TIROS-N/NOAA series designed to provide continuous global weather monitoring. NOAA-14 carried a suite of instruments crucial for Earth observation.

Among its key instruments was the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), which collected data in multiple spectral bands for cloud cover, surface temperature, and vegetation monitoring. The TOVS (TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder) provided atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, essential for weather forecasting. NOAA-14 also hosted the Argos Data Collection System, used for tracking and collecting data from remote environmental platforms.

The satellite operated in a sun-synchronous orbit, passing over the same locations on Earth at approximately the same local time each day. This consistent coverage allowed for the tracking of weather patterns and climate trends over time. NOAA-14 played a significant role in providing data for meteorological research, disaster monitoring, and operational weather forecasting for many years. It was eventually succeeded by later satellites in the NOAA program.