The launch of the NOAA-M polar-orbiting weather satellite for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aboard a U.S. Air Force Titan II rocket occured from Space Launch Complex 4 West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Launch window extended from 11:22 - 11:32 a.m. PDT. The NOAA-M satellite will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. NOAA-M is the third in the current series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities that will operate over the next 10 years. NOAA-M, built by Lockheed Martin, will collect meteorological data and transmit the information to the NOAA National Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts. Users around the world will also be able to access the satellite's images and data.