DMSP-19 encapsulated. Photo: United Launch Alliance

[Via Satellite 03-21-2014] A Lockheed Martin-built Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) is now encapsulated into its payload fairing in preparation for its April 3 launch aboard an Atlas 5 rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The satellite will enable military forecasters to find, track and forecast weather systems around the globe, especially in remote and hostile locations for deployed troops. DMSP also supports a range of civil users with sensing capabilities that are not provided by U.S. civil and international weather satellite systems.

“Weather guides some of the most important decisions in the armed forces, from flight patterns to troop movements. Through DMSP, we’re helping to provide safer, successful military missions,” said Sue Stretch, DMSP program director at Lockheed Martin. “Our satellite build and test process went flawlessly. As we approach launch, we are ready to continue serving this mission for the military and civil agencies that depend on it.”

DMSP satellites provide global atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial and space environment information. DMSP 19 is the fourth Block 5D-3 version to be launched, with Lockheed Martin producing more than 40 satellites over the program’s 50-year history. DMSP 19 is equipped with a sensor suite that is able to capture visible and infrared cloud cover, measure precipitation, surface temperature and soil moisture, and collect specialized global meteorological, oceanographic and solar-geophysical information in all weather conditions.