NOAA-17

NOAA-17 was a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar-orbiting weather satellite, part of the NOAA Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) series. Launched on June 24, 2002, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, it provided valuable data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research.

The satellite carried a suite of instruments, including the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), which captured images of the Earth's surface and atmosphere in multiple spectral bands. This data was used to monitor cloud cover, sea surface temperature, vegetation indices, and ice cover. Other instruments on board included the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS), which provided atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, and the Space Environment Monitor (SEM), which measured energetic particles in space.

NOAA-17 operated successfully for several years, contributing significantly to our understanding of the Earth's environment. It was decommissioned on April 10, 2013, after experiencing an anomaly that affected its power system. The data collected by NOAA-17 continues to be used by scientists and researchers around the world. It was initially designated as NOAA-M before launch.