NOAA 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 (NOAA E, F, G, H, D, I, J)

NOAA 9 [NOAA]

The Advanced TIROS-N (ATN) series was the fourth generation of NOAA's low earth orbit meteorological satellites. The satellites were designated NOAA E, F, G, H, D, I, J.

The satellites were improved versions of the TIROS-N generation with an upgraded instrument suite. These satellites were built by RCA Astro based on the military DMSP-5D1 series of satellites. They were 3-axis stabilized satellites featuring an integrated upperstage system called ISS (Integrated Spacecraft System), which allowed the satellite to act as the second stage of the launch vehicle. The second stage is a solid fueled Star-37E rocket motor containing about 658 kg of propellant and is an integral part of the spacecraft. Its propellant burns to depletion and the motor assembly case, weighing 48 kg, is left in orbit with the spacecraft. Three-axis stabilization of the spacecraft during the second stage burn is provided by nitrogen and hydrazine thrusters.

Following instruments were carried on board:

• Argos DCS (Argos Data Collection System) (on all)
• AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) (on all)
• HIRS/2 (High-resolution Infra Red Sounder / 2) (on all)
• MSU (Microwave Sounding Unit) (on all)
• SSU (Stratospheric Sounding Unit) (on all)
• SEM/MEPED (SEM / Medium energy proton detector) (on all)
• SEM/TED (SEM / Total Energy Detector) (on all)
• ERBE (Earth Radiation Budget Experiment) (on #9, 10)
• S&RSAT (Search & Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System) (on #8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14)
• SBUV/2 (Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet / 2) (on #9, 10, 11, 13)