Sort By

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

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Artist’s concept of DMSP Block 5D-2 satellite in orbit. The Block 5D-2 version was launched 9 times during 1982-1997. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Artist’s concept of DMSP Block 5D-3 satellite in orbit. Launches of the Block 5D-3 version began in 1999. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Model of DMSP Block 5D-1 satellite in orbit. The Block 5D-1 version was launched 5 times during 1976-1980. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

A pair of Advanced Vela satellites is stacked in launch configuration for testing about 1968. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Maj Alex Pestrichella (left) and another officer from SAMSO’s Vela program office pose with a pair of Advanced Vela satellites about 1968. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Vela satellite from first pair launched on 17 October 1963. Left to right: Dr. William J. Chalmers of TRW’s Space Technology Laboratories; Col Lonnie Q. Westmoreland, program director at Space Systems Division; and Stanley S. Strong of the Aerospace Corporation. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

A pair of Advanced Vela satellites is stacked for launch on a Titan IIIC launch vehicle in May 1969. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

An artist’s concept of a pair of Advanced Vela satellites being deployed in orbit about 1967-1970. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Col Lee Battle, Discoverer program director, and Capt William Johnson, Discoverer project officer, observe the ground track of a Discoverer satellite in 1961. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Launch of the highly successful Discoverer 18 mission on 7 December 1960. The film capsule was recovered in mid-air. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Technician testing a bio-medical capsule for launch on a Discoverer satellite in 1959. Most Discoverer missions carried reconnaissance payloads instead. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Members of the Weapon System 117L program gather at the Western Development Division in 1956, soon after the first Air Force space program was transferred from Wright Aeronautical Development Center. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Arrival of Discoverer XIII capsule, the first successfully recovered, at Andrews AFB on 13 August 1960. Left to right: Col “Moose” Mathison (commander of 6594th Test Wing), who brought the capsule; Maj Gen Osmond J. Ritland (commander of Air Force Ballistic Missile Division); Lt Gen Bernard A. Schriever (commander of Air Research and Development Command); and two civilian officials. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

A JC-130 airplane of the 6593rd Test Squadron makes a practice catch of a parachute with a simulated film-return capsule about 1962. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Military Satellite Communications

This artist’s concept depicts a Milstar I satellite in orbit. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Military Satellite Communications

Two officials of Hughes Aircraft Company and the Air Force’s program director compare the sizes of TACSAT and Syncom. Syncom was the first geosynchronous commercial communications satellite. Left to right: Richard M. Bentley, Col Marion B Gibson, and Clare G. Carlson. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Military Satellite Communications

Testing of a NATO III satellite is reviewed by the Air Force’s program director and a manager from Philco-Ford Corporation. (USAF photo)

Details Download

Photo Gallery

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Defense Meteorological Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Early Reconnaissance Satellites

Military Satellite Communications

Military Satellite Communications

Military Satellite Communications