NOAA-11

NOAA-11 was a polar-orbiting weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as part of the TIROS-N/NOAA series. Launched on September 24, 1988, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, it provided valuable data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research.

The satellite carried several instruments, including the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), which captured images of the Earth in multiple spectral bands. This allowed for the observation of cloud cover, sea surface temperature, vegetation index, and other environmental parameters. Other instruments included the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS), which measured atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, and instruments for monitoring the Earth's radiation budget and energetic particles.

NOAA-11 played a significant role in monitoring the ozone hole over Antarctica. Its data was used extensively for studying climate change and its impact on the planet.

The satellite ceased operations in September 2000, after more than 12 years of service, exceeding its design life. Though decommissioned, the data collected by NOAA-11 continues to be used by researchers and scientists to study long-term environmental trends and climate variability.