CONTACT:  Patricia Viets, NOAA               4/14/98
          John Leslie, NOAA
          Cynthia O'Carroll, NASA

MEDIA ADVISORY

NOAA AND NASA TO HOLD PRESS BRIEFING
ON UPCOMING LAUNCH OF NOAA-K WEATHER SATELLITE

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will hold a press briefing on Thursday, April 16, at 10:00 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., to announce the planned launch of a new satellite that will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. The satellite, NOAA-K, is planned for launch in May.

NOAA-K is the first in a series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities that will operate over the next twelve years. Like other NOAA satellites, NOAA-K will collect meteorological data and transmit the information to users around the world to enhance weather forecasting. In the United States, the data will be used primarily by the National Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts.

For more information, please call Cynthia O'Carroll, NASA or Patricia Viets, NOAA , or John Leslie, NOAA.