Updates To NOAA-18 Decommissioning: NOAA-18 Has Now Shut Down
A few days ago, we posted news that NOAA-18 was to begin decommissioning steps effective immediately due to a recent transmitter failure. Multiple reports have now confirmed that NOAA-18 has indeed shut down as of 1740 UTC 06/06/2025.
The usaradioguy.com blog has further updates for those who are interested. The official notice from NOAA can also be found here. Interestingly, it appears that NOAA-18 will not be de-orbiting as it lacks the required propulsion system to do so. So it will remain in orbit as space debris.
A user using a hobbyist station in Sweden also captured the shutdown remotely during APT image reception, as shown in the image below.
Farewell and thanks for your long service NOAA-18!
