Sort By

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)

The DMSP mission is to collect and disseminate global, high-resolution visible & thermal cloud cover imagery, and other critical air, land, sea and space environment data to Department of Defense (DoD) forces and the intelligence community. DMSP data also is furnished to the civilian community through the Department of Commerce. (Image courtesy of Lockheed-Martin for Air Force and media publications; use for commercial purposes is prohibited.)

Details Download

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 19 Launch

The U.S. Air Force successfully launched the 19th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft at 7:46 a.m. PDT, April 3, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. DMSP is the primary provider of terrestrial and space weather information for the U.S. military. (Photo courtesy of United Space Alliance, Bill Hartenstein)

Details Download

Defense Meteorological Satellites

DMSP Block 5C satellite mated to Thor Burner IIA launch vehicle during addition of payload fairing at Vandenberg AFB, about 1972-1976. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Defense Meteorological Satellites

NASA’s early TIROS satellite, showing cameras on flat side. TIROS was the technological ancestor of all weather satellites, including DMSP. (Photograph courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce)

Details Download

Defense Meteorological Satellites

The first weather satellite was NASA’s Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) I, launched by AFBMD on 1 April 1960 using a Thor Able rocket. This photograph shows the satellite mated to the upper stage. (Photograph courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce)

Details Download