"NASA Launches Earth-Observing Satellite on Third Try"

"Amid growing concern about global weather patterns, a rocket roared into space Saturday carrying a NASA satellite that will give scientists new tools to forecast weather, track drought and monitor climate change.

The liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California was the third attempt to launch the craft. Upper-level wind shear above the base near Lompoc had already prompted NASA to push Thursday morning’s launch to Friday. ...

Once fully deployed, the 2,000-pound craft will aim two microwave-emitting instruments at the Earth's surface and collect data that will enable the agency to determine the moisture content of the top two inches of soil planetwide and to calculate water depth to about three feet, said Jared Entin, NASA's Washington-based project scientist for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission."

Geoffrey Mohan reports for the Los Angeles Times January 31, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"New NASA Eye in the Sky Tracks Floods And Droughts" (Christian Science Monitor)

"Rocket Blasts Off With NASA Satellite To Track Climate Change" (Reuters)