NOAA18

NOAA-18, also known as NOAA-N, is the second-to-last satellite in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) program. Launched on June 20, 2005, it was placed into a sun-synchronous orbit, passing over the Earth's poles at approximately the same local time each day. This consistent orbital path allows NOAA-18 to capture a wealth of data crucial for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring.

The primary mission of NOAA-18 is to gather atmospheric and surface data for both meteorological and environmental applications. It carries a suite of advanced instruments designed to observe various aspects of the Earth's system. Key instruments include the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), which measures reflected solar and emitted thermal radiation to determine cloud cover, surface temperature, and vegetation health. The instrument also aids in monitoring sea surface temperature and snow/ice cover.

Another significant instrument is the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU), which provides atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles from the surface up to the stratosphere. This data is vital for creating detailed three-dimensional models of the atmosphere, essential for accurate weather prediction. NOAA-18 also carries the Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) as part of the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) instrument suite and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument suite respectively, contributing further to atmospheric sounding capabilities, especially for detecting atmospheric moisture and temperature. These instruments collectively provide essential data for a wide range of applications, from tracking hurricanes and severe weather events to monitoring climate change indicators and supporting search and rescue operations.