Delta II Q&A

• #20 by ZachS09 on 13 Aug, 2014 17:19
• When NOAA-19 was launched, did NASA intend to name it "NOAA-N Prime" before launch? Or was "NOAA-O" acceptable if suggested?
• #21 by Jim on 13 Aug, 2014 17:23
• Quote from: longdrivechampion102 on 13 Aug, 2014 17:19

  When NOAA-19 was launched, did NASA intend to name it "NOAA-N Prime" before launch? Or was "NOAA-O" acceptable if suggested?
  

  It was NOAA-N Prime before and during launch and became NOAA-19 once on orbit operating successfully.
• #22 by ZachS09 on 20 Aug, 2014 19:16
• Why "NOAA-N Prime"? I thought O came after N like the GOES satellites did.
• #23 by edkyle99 on 20 Aug, 2014 19:45
• Quote from: longdrivechampion102 on 20 Aug, 2014 19:16

  Why "NOAA-N Prime"? I thought O came after N like the GOES satellites did.
  

  The answer is in this article. 
  http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d338/090201preview.html
  
  Apparently there had been plans for a NOAA-O (and P and Q), but the spacecraft series was cancelled and NASA decided to build one more of the old series, or something like that.
  
  Of course NOAA N-prime was the famous "dropped" satellite.
  
   - Ed Kyle