DMSP 5D-2/F10 is one of a series of meteorological satellites developed and operated by
the Air Force under the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). This program, previously
known as DAPP (Data Acquisition and Processing Program), was classified until March 1973. The objective
of this program is to provide global visual and infrared cloudcover data and specialized environmental
data to support Department of Defense operational weather analysis and forecasting requirements.
Operationally, the program consists of two satellites in sun-synchronous polar orbits, with the
ascending node of one satellite in early morning and the other at local noon.
The local time nodes for DMSP F10 are 20:30 and 08:30.
The 6.4-m-long
spacecraft is separated into four sections: (1) a precision mounting platform for sensors and
equipment requiring precise alignment; (2) an equipment support module containing the electronics,
reaction wheels, and some meteorological sensors; (3) a reaction control equipment support structure
containing the third-stage rocket motor and supporting the ascent phase reaction control equipment;
and (4) a 9.29-sq-m solar cell panel. The spacecraft stabilization is controlled by a combination
flywheel and magnetic control coil system so that sensors are maintained in the desired earth-looking
mode. One feature is the precision-pointing accuracy of the primary imager to 0.01 deg provided by a
star sensor and an updated ephemeris navigation system. This allows automatic geographical mapping of
the digital imagery to the nearest picture element.
The operational linescan system is the primary
data acquisition system that provides real-time or stored, multi-orbit, day-and-night, visual and
infrared imagery of clouds. A supplementary sensor package contains five special sensors: (1) a
microwave temperature sounder, (2) an advanced X-ray detector, (3) an ionospheric/scintillation
monitor, (4) a precipitating electron/ion spectrometer, and (5) a microwave imager. Either recorded
or real-time data are transmitted to ground-receiving sites by two redundant S-band transmitters.
Recorded data are read out to tracking sites located at Fairchild AFB, Washington, and at Loring AFB,
Maine, and relayed by SATCOM to Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Real-time
data are read out at mobile tactical sites located around the world.
Version:2.2.2
DMSP 5D-2/F10 is one of a series of meteorological satellites developed and operated by
the Air Force under the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). This program, previously
known as DAPP (Data Acquisition and Processing Program), was classified until March 1973. The objective
of this program is to provide global visual and infrared cloudcover data and specialized environmental
data to support Department of Defense operational weather analysis and forecasting requirements.
Operationally, the program consists of two satellites in sun-synchronous polar orbits, with the
ascending node of one satellite in early morning and the other at local noon.
The local time nodes for DMSP F10 are 20:30 and 08:30.
The 6.4-m-long
spacecraft is separated into four sections: (1) a precision mounting platform for sensors and
equipment requiring precise alignment; (2) an equipment support module containing the electronics,
reaction wheels, and some meteorological sensors; (3) a reaction control equipment support structure
containing the third-stage rocket motor and supporting the ascent phase reaction control equipment;
and (4) a 9.29-sq-m solar cell panel. The spacecraft stabilization is controlled by a combination
flywheel and magnetic control coil system so that sensors are maintained in the desired earth-looking
mode. One feature is the precision-pointing accuracy of the primary imager to 0.01 deg provided by a
star sensor and an updated ephemeris navigation system. This allows automatic geographical mapping of
the digital imagery to the nearest picture element.
The operational linescan system is the primary
data acquisition system that provides real-time or stored, multi-orbit, day-and-night, visual and
infrared imagery of clouds. A supplementary sensor package contains five special sensors: (1) a
microwave temperature sounder, (2) an advanced X-ray detector, (3) an ionospheric/scintillation
monitor, (4) a precipitating electron/ion spectrometer, and (5) a microwave imager. Either recorded
or real-time data are transmitted to ground-receiving sites by two redundant S-band transmitters.
Recorded data are read out to tracking sites located at Fairchild AFB, Washington, and at Loring AFB,
Maine, and relayed by SATCOM to Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Real-time
data are read out at mobile tactical sites located around the world.
| Role | Person | StartDate | StopDate | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | GeneralContact | spase://SMWG/Person/Dieter.K.Bilitza |
Information about the DMSP 5D-2/F10 mission
Information about the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.