# NOAA-B

> failed American weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6954808](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6954808)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOAA-B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/noaa-b

## Summary
NOAA-B was a failed American weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Launched on May 29, 1980, it was intended to function as part of the TIROS-N series of meteorological satellites but failed to achieve a stable orbit. The satellite ultimately re-entered the atmosphere on May 3, 1981.

## Key Facts
- **COSPAR ID:** 1980-043A
- **Launch Date:** May 29, 1980, at 10:53
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas E/F (Serial No. 19F)
- **Manufacturer:** RCA Corporation
- **Operator:** National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- **Mass:** 1,405 kilograms
- **Satellite Type:** TIROS-N class weather satellite
- **Orbital Decay:** May 3, 1981
- **Series:** Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS)

## FAQs
### Q: What was NOAA-B?
A: NOAA-B was a weather satellite built by RCA Corporation for the United States. It belonged to the TIROS-N series and was designed to monitor weather and climate from a Sun-synchronous orbit.

### Q: Did NOAA-B successfully reach orbit?
A: No, NOAA-B was a failed satellite. While it was launched on May 29, 1980, it did not achieve its intended operational orbit and subsequently decayed into the atmosphere less than a year later.

### Q: When did NOAA-B re-enter the atmosphere?
A: The satellite underwent atmospheric entry and orbital decay on May 3, 1981.

## Why It Matters
NOAA-B represents a notable instance of failure within the generally successful Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) program, a cornerstone of American meteorological history. As a TIROS-N class satellite, it was part of the third generation of U.S. weather satellites, which were critical for advancing weather forecasting and climate monitoring capabilities.

The loss of NOAA-B highlights the technical challenges of spaceflight during the early 1980s, specifically regarding the reliability of launch vehicles like the Atlas E/F. Although it failed to fulfill its mission, the satellite's specifications—such as its mass of 1,405 kilograms and its design for a Sun-synchronous orbit—reflect the standard requirements for operational weather satellites of that era. The attempt to launch and operate NOAA-B contributed to the operational learning curve of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the contractor Convair, informing future launches and redundancy measures essential for continuous weather coverage.

## Notable For
- **Failed Mission:** Unlike many of its sister satellites in the TIROS series, NOAA-B failed to achieve a stable orbit, resulting in a total loss of the mission.
- **Rapid Orbital Decay:** The satellite had a very short lifespan in space, launching in May 1980 and re-entering the atmosphere by May 1981.
- **Specific Launch Configuration:** It utilized an Atlas E/F rocket (specifically serial 19F) launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West.
- **Heavy Payload:** At 1,405 kg, it was a substantial payload for a weather satellite of its class.

## Body

### Development and Classification
NOAA-B was an American weather satellite constructed as part of the **TIROS-N** class, a specific model of meteorological satellite. It was manufactured by the **RCA Corporation** and operated by the **National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration**.

It belonged to the broader **Television Infrared Observation Satellite** series. The satellite was designed to orbit the Sun (specifically in a **Sun-synchronous orbit**) to monitor weather and climate conditions. Its catalog numbers included SCN 11819 and NSSDCA ID 1980-043A.

### Launch Details
The satellite launched on **May 29, 1980**, at 10:53. The launch took place at **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West**. The launch contractor was **Convair**, utilizing an **Atlas E/F** expendable launch vehicle (designated 19F).

### Mission Outcome
Despite the launch, NOAA-B failed to accomplish its mission objectives. It did not maintain a stable orbit and was tracked until its decay. The satellite officially underwent atmospheric entry on **May 3, 1981**.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "NOAA-B",
  "description": "A failed American weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, launched in 1980.",
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1980-043A)
3. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/t/tirosn.html)