Editing Defense Meteorological Satellite Program

{{Short description|United States Department of Defense weather monitoring program}}
{{Infobox space program
| name            = Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
| image           = DMSP Block-5D2.jpg
| caption         = Artist rendition of a DMSP-5D2 satellite in orbit
| country         = United States
| organization    = [[United States Space Force]]
| purpose         = Earth monitoring
| cost            = 
| firstflight     = DMSP-1 F2<br/>23 August 1962
| lastflight      = DMSP 5D-3/F19<br/>3 April 2014
| successes       = 
| failures        = 
| partialfailures = 
| launchsite      = [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]]
| status          = Ongoing
| manager         = 
}}
[[Image:Paul-McCrone-DMSP-F18-FClr-Day-Fog-Stratus-Fullq-281641Z-DEC-10 1293583405.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|DMSP images of [[Aurora (astronomy)|Auroral bands]] circling north of [[Scandinavia]] in December 2010]]

The '''Defense Meteorological Satellite Program''' ('''DMSP''') monitors [[meteorological]], oceanographic, and solar-terrestrial physics for the [[United States Department of Defense]]. The program is managed by the [[United States Space Force]] with on-orbit operations provided by the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA).<ref>{{cite web|title=Schriever Airmen assist during satellite program move |url=http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123040078|publisher=Schriever Air Force Base|access-date=2008-02-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203231708/http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123040078|archive-date=2009-12-03}}</ref> The (originally classified) mission of the satellites was revealed in March 1973. They provide cloud cover imagery from [[polar orbit]]s that are [[Sun-synchronous orbit|Sun-synchronous]] at nominal altitude of {{cvt|830|km}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-072A|title=DMSP 1965-072A|publisher=NASA|access-date=2008-02-25}}</ref>

== History ==
[[Image:Earthlights dmsp 1994–1995.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Rendering of lights on Earth's surface created using DMSP observations between 1994 and 1995]]
Early in 1963 [[The Aerospace Corporation]] recommended that the U.S. Air Force develop a dedicated military meterological satellite, and the Defense Department agreed.<ref>Spires</ref> The main emphasis would be on cloud-cover photography, but planners expected to add more sophisticated equipment when it became available. Later, when civilian weather satellites improved their capabilities and could satisfy most military requirements, the Defense Department continued to prefer a separate system responsive to the "dynamic" needs of the military. As a result, the Air Force
embarked on the first segment of what became known initially as the Defense
Satellite Applications Program (DSAP), or Program 417. 

During the 1960s, one of the most important projects that the United States civil [[space program]] was involved in dealt with [[meteorology]] and weather forecasting. Unbeknownst to many, the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] services were also starting up a [[weather satellite]] program. This program, the DMSP, would relay important weather and [[climate]] data to the military for more effective operations. From the onset of the DMSP program, knowledge of its existence was limited to "need-to-know" personnel. The [[United States Congress]] had assigned a substantial budget towards the civil weather satellite program; if knowledge of a second military program came out, it would have been hard for the military to justify it.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

Initial operations of early DMSP systems provided radio return of cloud-cover imagery for planning of U.S. high-resolution photographic reconnaissance and surveillance missions, which utilized [[Mid-air retrieval|film-return systems]]. DMSP satellites operated in a [[Sun-synchronous orbit]]; passing over the north and south poles, the satellite would see different strips of the [[Earth]] at the same local time each day. The DMSP satellites had [[Orbital period|period]]s of roughly 101.0 minutes, so they would orbit the Earth 14.3 times in 24 hours. This period combined with the Sun-synchronous orbit would have the satellite [[ground track|pass over]] the whole surface of the planet twice a day.

[[File:Operational polar satellites.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|DMSP and POES orbits shown in a GAO diagram.]]

The images acquired were relayed to the Earth and received by two command and readout stations {{when|date=August 2013}}<!-- this would obviously not be at the same period of years where the data was returned via film canister and mid-air retrieval. --> established at retired [[Project Nike|Nike missile]] sites located near [[Fairchild Air Force Base]] in [[Washington (state)|Washington State]] and [[Loring Air Force Base]] in [[Maine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zianet.com/jpage/spysats/weather/dmsp.html|title=Defense Meteorological Support (sic) Program|work=The High Ground|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214011934/http://www.zianet.com/jpage/spysats/weather/dmsp.html|archive-date=2007-02-14}}</ref> From these sites, the images were then sent to Air Force Global Weather Central (AFGWC) located at [[Offutt Air Force Base]], [[Nebraska]]. Images would then be processed, forming a mosaic representing the cloud patterns that were observed from the orbiting satellites. Meteorologists could then provide [[flight crew]]s and other commanders with up-to-date observations for their particular missions. Further advancements enabled data to be collected in the visual spectrum, down to a half-moonlit scene. [[Infrared]] processing enabled night viewing. Other enhancements increased on-board processing; this includes multiple on-board computers and expanded power requirements.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

Now in its fifth decade of service, the DMSP program has proven itself to be a valuable tool in scheduling and protecting military operations on land, at sea, and in the air. Because the Air Force weather satellite program began with the mission of providing weather data for Strategic Air Command and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), DSAP remained classified until 17 April 1973, when Secretary
of the Air Force Dr. John L. McLucas decided that the Defense Department's
decision to use satellite weather data in the Vietnam conflict and to provide it to
both the Commerce Department and the general scientific community warranted
declassification of the DSAP mission and release of some of its performance data. In December 1973 the Defense Department changed the name to the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). On 1 June 1998, the control and maintenance of the satellites were transferred to [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) in order to reduce costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.310sw.afrc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=14161|title=Factsheets : 6th Space Operations Squadron|access-date=2013-08-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710213821/http://www.310sw.afrc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=14161|archive-date=2013-07-10}}</ref>

DMSP was to be replaced by the [[Defense Weather Satellite System]] (DWSS) but that was cancelled in 2012. In 2017, the Air Force awarded a contract to build the first of the new defense weather satellites, the [[Weather System Follow-on Microwave]] (WSF-M) satellite.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Russell|first1=Kendall|title=Ball Aerospace Wins Air Force Contract for New Weather Satellite |date=30 November 2017|url=http://www.satellitetoday.com/telecom/2017/11/30/ball-aerospace-wins-air-force-contract-new-weather-satellite/|access-date=12 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213010123/http://www.satellitetoday.com/telecom/2017/11/30/ball-aerospace-wins-air-force-contract-new-weather-satellite/|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Losses of satellites ==

=== 2004 explosion ===
In 2004 the USAF weather satellite DMSP Block 5D-2 F-11 (S-12) or '''DMSP-11''', launched in 1991 and retired in 1995, exploded in orbit with debris objects generated. It seems likely the fragmentation was due to either a battery explosion or to residual fuel in the attitude control system.<ref name="jonathan527" /><ref name="20161027-spacedotcom" /> Later, propulsion was identified as the "assessed cause" of DMSP-11 explosion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/20-year-old-military-weather-satellite-wasnt-first-of-its-kind-to-explode/ |title = 20-year-old Military Weather Satellite Wasn't First To Explode|date = 3 March 2015}}</ref>

=== 2015 explosion and debris field ===
On 3 February 2015, the 13th DMSP satellite — '''DMSP-F13''' launched in 1995 — exploded while in a [[Sun-synchronous orbit|Sun-synchronous]] [[polar orbit]] leaving a [[space debris|debris]] field of at least 43 to 100 large fragments and more than 50,000 pieces smaller than 1 millimeter.<ref>[http://www.space.com/29348-military-satellite-explosion-space-junk.html Explosion of U.S. Military Satellite May Endanger Spacecraft After All] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510055638/http://www.space.com/29348-military-satellite-explosion-space-junk.html|date=2015-05-10}}  Mike Wall, ''SPACE.com'', 8 May 2015</ref> The [[Joint Space Operations Center]] at [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]], [[Lompoc, California]] is monitoring the expanding debris field, and "will issue conjunction warnings if necessary".<ref name=sn20150227>{{cite news|last1=Berger|first1=Brian|last2=Gruss|first2=Mike|title=20-year-old Military Weather Satellite Apparently Exploded in Orbit |url=http://spacenews.com/20-year-old-military-weather-satellite-apparently-exploded-in-orbit/|access-date=28 February 2015|publisher=SpaceNews|date=27 February 2015}}</ref> The cause of the explosion was the rupturing of an onboard battery due to a design flaw (no collision with another object took place).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/noaa-weather-satellite-suffers-in-orbit-breakup/ |title = NOAA Weather Satellite Breaks Up in Orbit - SpaceNews| date=27 November 2015 }}</ref>

=== 2016 failure of DMSP 19 without replacement ===
On 11 February 2016, a power failure left both the command-and-control subsystem and its backup without the ability to reach the satellite's processor, according to the [[Air Force Space Command|U.S. Air Force Space Command]] investigation released in July 2016 that also announced that DMSP 5D-3/F19 was considered to be 'lost'. The satellite's data can still be used, until it ceases pointing the sensors towards the [[Earth]]. The satellite was the most recent on-orbit, having been launched on 3 April 2014.<ref name="2016-07-25_DN">[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/space/2016/07/25/malfunctioning-weather-satellite-dmsp-lockheed-martin-space-air-force/87537612/ Malfunctioning Weather Satellite Can't Be Recovered, Air Force Finds], Valerie Insinna, DefenseNews.com, 25 July 2016</ref>

The failure only left F16, F17 and F18 – all significantly past their expected 3–5 year lifespan – operational. F19's planned replacement was not carried out because Congress ordered the destruction of the already constructed F20 probe to save money by not having to pay its storage costs. It is unlikely that a new DMSP satellite would be launched before 2023; by then the three remaining satellites should no longer be operational.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/05/donald-trump-accused-blocking-satellite-climate-change-research|title=Donald Trump accused of obstructing satellite research into climate change|last=McKie|first=Rob|date=November 5, 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=November 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105085003/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/05/donald-trump-accused-blocking-satellite-climate-change-research|archive-date=2017-11-05|url-status=dead|issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

=== 2016 explosion ===
In October 2016, the 12th DMSP satellite - '''DMSP-F12''' launched in 1994 - exploded in orbit. The satellite had similar battery as the one that exploded in the DMSP-13 satellite, thus raising suspicions that DMSP-12 explosion was also caused by battery problems. At the time the cause of DMSP-12's explosion was however unknown, although a collision with another object did not seem to be the cause. Apparently, very little debris (just one trackable piece) was generated in DMSP-12 explosion. DMSP-12 was decommissioned in 2008.<ref name="20161027-spacedotcom"/>

=== Near collision ===
In January 2017, the Joint Space Operations Center announced that two non-maneuverable satellites would come dangerously close, with a collision probability as high as 44%. DMSP F15 and [[Meteor (satellite)|Meteor 1-26]] were considered to be the prime candidates for the encounter.<ref name=near/> The operations center, which announced the possible collision, didn't identify the satellites involved but third party observers determined the most likely candidates.<ref name=near>{{cite news|date=7 January 2017|title=Update: High-Risk Satellite Conjunction passes without Incident|url=http://spaceflight101.com/close-orbital-encounter-january-7-2017/|newspaper=Spaceflight101.com|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107193436/http://spaceflight101.com/close-orbital-encounter-january-7-2017/ |archive-date=7 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The two did not collide.

=== NOAA 16 and 17 ===
The [[NOAA-16]] and [[NOAA-17]] weather satellites were based on the same technology as DMSP satellites. NOAA-16 broke up in November 2015, and NOAA-17 disintegrated in orbit on 10 March 2021. <ref>{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/decommissioned-noaa-weather-satellite-breaks-up/ |title=Decommissioned NOAA weather satellite breaks up |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=20 March 2021 |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref>

=== 2024 explosion ===
The '''DMSP 5D-2/F14''' ('''USA-131'''), launched 4 Apr 1997 and decommissioned in 2020, exploded in orbit in December 2024.<ref name="F14decommissioned"/><ref name="F14exploded"/>

== Launch history ==
[[File:Old Night Vision Meets New (8247956644).jpg|thumb|Comparison of [[Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite]] (VIIRS) and Operational Linescan System (OLS)]]
DMSP was initially known as '''Program 35'''. The first successful launch of a Program 35 spacecraft used a [[Scout (rocket family)#Scout designations|Scout X-2]] rocket lifting off from [[Point Arguello]] near [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]] on 23 August 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-039A|title=P35 2 - NSSDC ID: 1962-039A|publisher=NASA|access-date=2008-05-31 }} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name=shaltanis>{{cite web|url=http://www.zianet.com/tangoz/fourgrnd/History2.html|title=Defense Meteorological Satellite Program History|last=Shaltanis|first=Capt Dan A.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720163749/http://www.zianet.com/tangoz/fourgrnd/History2.html|archive-date=2008-07-20}}</ref> This was P35-2, the earlier P35-1 launch on 24 May 1962 had failed to reach orbit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://astronautix.com/craft/proram35.htm|title=Program 35|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212002039/http://astronautix.com/craft/proram35.htm|archive-date=2012-02-12}}</ref> All five Program 35 launch attempts using [[Scout (rocket family)|Scout]] launch vehicle, including the two successes, were made from Vandenberg [[Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5|SLC-5]]. Other early launches were conducted using [[Thor-Burner]] launch vehicles, with [[Altair (rocket stage)|Altair]] or [[Burner (rocket stage)|Burner II]] upper [[multistage rocket|stages]]. Program 35 had by this time been renamed the '''Data Acquisition and Processing Program''', and the '''DAPP''' acronym is sometimes used for these satellites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-070A|title=DMSP 5A/F2 - NSSDC ID: 1970-070A|publisher=NASA|access-date=2008-02-25}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Eight satellites were launched using [[Atlas E/F|Atlas E]] launch vehicles between 1982 and 1995. Three were launched aboard [[LGM-25C Titan II#Titan II launch vehicle|Titan II]] vehicles between 1997 and 2003. One has been launched on a [[Delta IV]] rocket.

The most recent launch of a DMSP satellite, DMSP-F19, occurred on 3 April 2014, from Vandenberg aboard an [[Atlas V]] launch vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/170/ |title=United Launch Alliance Marks 80th Successful Launch by Delivering Air Force's Weather Satellite to Orbit|date=April 3, 2014|publisher=United Launch Alliance|access-date=December 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/170/|archive-date=December 7, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Block 1 ===
The DSAP-1 (Defense Satellite Application Program Block 1) satellites series, also known as P-35, was the first series of military meteorological satellites of the United States. The project designation P-698BH was used concurrently with P-35 from June 1962 and P-35 became P-417 in October 1962. The designation DMSP-1 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 1) was retroactively assigned to these satellites.

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
! align="center" colspan="100" |Block 1
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Launch site
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (degrees)
!Status 
!Alt. names
|-
|<!--Name-->DMSP-1 F1
|<!--ID-->
|<!--Launch date-->23 May 1962
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Scout
|<!--Launch site-->Va LC-D
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (degrees)-->
|<!--Status -->Failed to orbit; 2nd stage exploded
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-1, P-698BH F1, DSAP-1 F1
|-

|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F2
|<!--ID-->1962-039A<br><small>00369</small>
|<!--Launch date-->23 August 1962
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Scout
|<!--Launch site-->Va LC-D
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->97
|<!--Perigee (km)-->557
|<!--Apogee (km)-->694
|<!--Inclination (degrees)-->98.4
|<!--Status -->Success; EOM 11 Jun 1963
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-2, P-698BH F2, DSAP-1 F2
|-

|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F3
|<!--ID-->1963-005A<br><small>00533</small>
|<!--Launch date-->19 February 1963
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Scout
|<!--Launch site-->Va LC-D
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (degrees)-->
|<!--Status -->Improper orbit; first DMSP with infrared system
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-3, P-417 F3, DSAP-1 F3
|-

|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F4
|<!--ID-->
|<!--Launch date-->26 April 1963
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Scout
|<!--Launch site-->Va LC-D
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (degrees)-->
|<!--Status -->Failed to orbit; 3rd stage exploded
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-4, P-417 F4, DSAP-1 F4
|-

|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F5
|<!--ID-->
|<!--Launch date-->27 September 1963
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Scout
|<!--Launch site-->Va LC-D
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (degrees)-->
|<!--Status -->Failed to orbit; 3rd stage failure
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-5, P-417 F5, DSAP-1 F5
|-

|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F6
|<!--ID-->1964-002B<br><small>00734</small>
|<!--Launch date -->19 January 1964
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-DM21 Agena-D
|<!--Launch site-->Va 75-1-2
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->100
|<!--Perigee (km)-->785
|<!--Apogee (km)-->807
|<!--Inclination (degrees)-->99
|<!--Status -->EOM 10 July 1964
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-6, DSAP-1 F6, OPS 3367A, P-417 F6
|-

|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F7
|<!--ID-->1964-002C<br><small>00735</small>
|<!--Launch date-->19 Jan 1964
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-DM21 Agena-D
|<!--Launch site-->Va 75-1-2
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->100
|<!--Perigee (km)-->788
|<!--Apogee (km)-->811
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->99
|<!--Status -->EOM 17 Mar 1965
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-7, DSAP-1 F7, OPS 3367B, P-417 F7
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP 1 F8
|<!--ID-->1964-031A<br><small>00812</small>
|<!--Launch date-->17 Jun 1964
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-DM21 Agena-D
|<!--Launch site-->Va 75-3-4
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->101
|<!--Perigee (km)-->809
|<!--Apogee (km)-->817
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->99.7
|<!--Status -->EOM 16 Feb 1966
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-8, DSAP-1 F8, OPS 4467A, P-417 F8
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F9
|<!--ID-->1964-031B<br><small>00813</small>
|<!--Launch date-->17 Jun 1964
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-Agena D
|<!--Launch site-->Va 75-3-4
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->101
|<!--Perigee (km)-->811
|<!--Apogee (km)-->820
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->99.7
|<!--Status -->EOM 15 Oct 1965
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-9, DSAP-1 F9, OPS 4467B, P-417 F9
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F10
|<!--ID-->1965-003A<br><small>00973</small>
|<!--Launch date-->19 Jan 1965
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-LV2D Burner-1(1), (Thor-DSV2S MG-18)
|<!--Launch site-->Va 4300-B6
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->
|<!--Status -->failed to separate from upper stage
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-10, DSAP-1 F10, OPS 7040, P-417 F10
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP-1 F11
|<!--ID-->1965-021A<br><small>01273</small>
|<!--Launch date-->18 Feb 1965
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-LV2D Burner-1(1), (Thor-DSV2S MG-18)
|<!--Launch site-->Va 4300-B6
|<!--Mass (kg)-->45-55
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->
|<!--Status -->EOM 15 Oct 1965
|<!--Alt. names-->Program 35 F-11, DSAP-1 F11, OPS 7353, P-417 F11
|-
|}

===Block 2===
The DSAP-2 (Defense Satellite Application Program Block 2) satellites series consisted of three modified DSAP-1 satellites, retaining the shape and dimension of the earlier series, featuring improved infrared radiometers. The designation DMSP-2 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 2) was retroactively assigned to these satellites.

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
! align="center" colspan="100" |Block 2
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Launch site
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (deg)
!Status 
!Alt. name
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP-2 F1
|<!--ID -->1965-072A<br><small>01580</small>
|<!--Launch date -->10 Sep 1965
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-LV2D Burner-1(2), (Thor-DSV2S Altair-3)
|<!--Launch site-->Va 4300-B6
|<!--Mass (kg)-->73
|<!--Period (min)-->100
|<!--Perigee (km)-->632
|<!--Apogee (km)-->971
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->98.7
|<!--Status -->
|<!--Alt. names-->DSAP-2 F1, OPS 8068
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP-2 F2
|<!--ID -->
|<!--Launch date -->6 Jan 1966
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-LV2D Burner-1(2), (Thor-DSV2S Altair-3)
|<!--Launch site-->Va 4300-B6
|<!--Mass (kg)-->73
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->
|<!--Status -->Launch failed
|<!--Alt. names-->DSAP-2 F2, OPS 2394
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP-2 F3
|<!-- ID-->1966-026A<br><small>02125</small>
|<!--Launch date-->31 Mar 1966
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-LV2D Burner-1(2), (Thor-DSV2S Altair-3)
|<!--Launch site-->Va 4300-B6
|<!--Mass (kg)-->73
|<!--Period (min)-->98
|<!--Perigee (km)-->594
|<!--Apogee (km)-->820
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->98.3
|<!--Status-->
|<!--Alt. names-->DSAP-2 F3, OPS 0340
|-
|}

===Block 3===
The single DSAP-3 (Defense Satellite Application Program Block 3) was a modified DSAP-2 satellite to provide experimental tactical access to weather data, for which a tactical readout station was built near Saigon. The designation DMSP-3 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 3) was retroactively assigned to this satellite.

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
! align="center" colspan="100" |Block 3
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Launch site
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (deg)
!Status 
!Alt. name
|-
|<!--Name -->DMSP-3 F1
|<!--ID -->1965-038A<br><small>01377</small>
|<!--Launch date -->20 May 1965
|<!--Launch vehicle-->Thor-LV2D Burner-1(2), (Thor-DSV2S Altair-3)
|<!--Launch site-->Va 4300-B6
|<!--Mass (kg)-->
|<!--Period (min)-->
|<!--Perigee (km)-->
|<!--Apogee (km)-->
|<!--Inclination (deg)-->
|<!--Status -->Tactical orientation for use over Vietnam
|<!--Alt. names-->DSAP-3 F1, OPS 8386
|-
|}

===Block 4A===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
!colspan="11" align="center"|Block 4A
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]/Reference<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (deg)
!Status 
!Alt. name
|-
|DMSP 4A 1
|1965-003A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-003A |title=1965-003A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>00973</small>
|19 Jan 1965
|Thor-Altair
|250
|97.7
|471
|822
|98.8
|Decayed 13 Jul 1979; 1st use of Thor-Altair
|OPS-7040
|-
|DMSP 4A 2
|1965-021A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-021A |title=1965-021A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>01273</small>
|18 Mar 1965
|Thor-Altair
|250
|94.4
|442
|533
|99.0
|Decayed 31 Dec 1989
|OPS-7353
|-
|DMSP 4A 3
|1965-038A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-038A |title=1965-038A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>01377</small>
|20 May 1965
|Thor-Altair
|250
|98.7
|527
|829
|98.2
|Decayed 09 Mar 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reentrynews.aero.org/1965038A.html|title=Center for Orbital and Re-Entry Debris Studies: OPS-8386 DMSP|website=reentrynews.aero.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505021946/http://reentrynews.aero.org/1965038A.html|archive-date=2012-05-05|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|OPS-8386
|-
|DMSP 4A 4
|1965-072A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-072A |title=1965-072A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>01580</small>
|10 Sep 1965
|Thor-Altair
|250
|101.5
|639
|1,013
|99.0
|In orbit
| OPS-8068
|-
|DMSP 4A 5
|None
|6 Jan 1966
|Thor-Altair
|250
| -----
| -----
| -----
| -----
|Failed to orbit
| ----- 
|-
|DMSP 4A 6
|1966-026A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-026A |title=1966-026A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>02125</small>
|30 Mar 1966
|Thor-Altair
|250
|99.9
|613
|883
|98.5
|In orbit
| OPS-0340
|-
|DMSP 4A 7
|1966-082A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-082A |title=1966-082A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>02418</small>
|16 Sep 1966
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|100.4
|680
|872
|98.8
|In orbit; 1st use of Burner II
|OPS-6026
|-
|DMSP 4A 8
|1967-010A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-010A |title=1967-010A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>02669</small>
|8 Feb 1967
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|101.3
|778
|854
|98.9
|In orbit
|OPS-6073
|-
|DMSP 4A 9
|1967-080A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-080A |title=1967-080A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>02920</small>
|23 Aug 1967
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|102.2
|822
|878
|98.8
|In orbit
|OPS-7202
|-
|DMSP 4A 10
|1967-096A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-096A |title=1967-096A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>02980</small>
|11 Oct 1967
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|99.5
|650
|822
|99.2
|In orbit
|OPS-1264
|-
|}

===Block 5A===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
!colspan="11" align="center"|Block 5A
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]/Reference<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (deg)
!Status 
!Alt. name
|-
|DMSP 5A 1
|1968-042A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1968-042A |title=1968-042A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>03266</small>
|23 May 1968
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|101.9
|809
|888
|98.8
|In orbit
|OPS-7869
|-
|DMSP 5A 2
|1968-092A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1968-092A |title=1968-092A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>03510</small>
|23 Oct 1968
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|101.2
|792
|838
|98.5
|In orbit
|OPS-4078
|-
|DMSP 5A 3
|1969-062A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-062A |title=1969-062A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>04047</small>
|23 Jul 1969
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|101.1
|775
|844
|98.5
|In orbit
|OPS-1127
|-
|DMSP 5A 4
|1970-012A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-012A |title=1970-012A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>04331</small>
|11 Feb 1970
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|101.1
|759
|850
|98.8
|In orbit
|OPS-0054
|-
|DMSP 5A 5
|1970-070A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-070A |title=1970-070A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>04512</small>
|3 Sep 1970
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|101.9
|764
|874
|99.1
|Reentered 21 Sep 1970
|OPS-0203
|-
|DMSP 5A 6
|1971-012A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-012A |title=1971-012A |publisher=Nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov |date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}</ref><br><small>04953</small>
|17 Feb 1971
|Thor-Burner II
|420
|100.6
|755
|817
|98.3
|In orbit
|OPS-5268
|-
|}

===Block 5B===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
!colspan="11" align="center"|Block 5B
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (deg)
!Status 
!Alt. name
|-
|DMSP 5B 1
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-087A 1971-087A]<br><small>05557</small>
|14 Oct 1971
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.4
|782
|865
|99.1
|In orbit
|OPS-4311
|-
|DMSP 5B 2
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-018A 1972-018A]<br><small>05903</small>
|24 Mar 1972
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.5
|787
|868
|99.1
|In orbit
|OPS-5058
|-
|DMSP 5B 3
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-089A 1972-089A]<br><small>06275</small>
|9 Nov 1972
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.4
|797
|855
|98.8
|In orbit
|OPS-7323
|-
|DMSP 5B 4
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1973-054A 1973-054A]<br><small>06787</small>
|17 Aug 1973
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.2
|795
|839
|98.5
|In orbit
|OPS-8364
|-
|DMSP 5B 5
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1974-015A 1974-015A]<br><small>07218</small>
|16 Mar 1974
|Thor-Burner IIA
|513
|101.2
|767
|859
|99.0
|In orbit
|OPS-8579
|}

===Block 5C===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
!colspan="12" align="center"|Block 5C
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (deg)
!Status 
!Alt. name
!End of Mission
|-
|DMSP 5C 1
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1974-063A 1974-063A]<br><small>07411</small>
|9 Aug 1974
|Thor-Burner IIA
|513
|101.5
|792
|862
|98.7
|In orbit
|OPS-6983
|1 Dec 1977
|-
|DMSP 5C 2
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1975-043A 1975-043A]<br><small>07816</small>
|24 May 1975
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.7
|797
|881
|98.7
|In orbit
|OPS-6229
|30 November 1977
|-
|DMSP 5C 3
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1976-016A 1976-016A]<br><small>08696</small>
|19 Feb 1976
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|89.0
|90
|355
|98.9
|Decayed 19 Feb 1976
|OPS-5140
|Failed to orbit. Improper Fuel Loading
|}
<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hall |first1=R. Cargill |title=A History of the Military Polar Orbiting Meteorological Satellite Program |page=43 |url=https://www.nro.gov/Portals/65/documents/history/csnr/programs/docs/prog-hist-02.pdf |access-date=26 January 2023}}</ref>

===Block 5D===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border="1"
|-
!colspan="11" align="center"|Block 5D
|-
!Name
![[International Designator|ID]]<br><small>NORAD #</small>
!Launch date
!Launch vehicle
!Mass (kg)
!Period (min)
!Perigee (km)
!Apogee (km)
!Inclination (deg)
!Status 
!Alt. name
|-
|DMSP 5D-1/F1
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1976-091A 1976-091A]<br><small>09415</small>
|11 Sep 1976
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.3
|806
|834
|98.6
|In orbit; aka AMS 1
|OPS-5721
|-
|DMSP 5D1/F2
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1977-044A 1977-044A]<br><small>10033</small>
|5 Jun 1977
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.3
|789
|853
|99.0
|In orbit; aka AMS 2
|OPS-5644
|-
|DMSP 5D-1/F3
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1978-042A 1978-042A]<br><small>10820</small>
|1 May 1978
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.1
|804
|817
|98.6
|In orbit; aka AMS 3
|OPS-6182
|-
|DMSP 5D-1/F4
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1979-050A 1979-050A]<br><small>11389</small>
|6 Jun 1979
|Thor-Burner II
|513
|101.2
|806
|828
|98.7
|In orbit; aka AMS 4
|OPS-5390
|-
|DMSP 5D-1/F5
|None
|14 July 1980
|Thor
|513
| -----
| -----
| -----
| -----
|Failed to orbit
| -----
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F6
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1982-118A 1982-118A]<br><small>13736</small>
|21 Dec 1982
|Atlas E
|751
|101.2
|811
|823
|98.7
|In orbit; aka AMS 5
|OPS-9845
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F7 
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1983-113A 1983-113A]<br><small>14506</small>
|18 Nov 1983
|Atlas E
|751
|101.4
|815
|832
|98.7
|In orbit
| OPS-1294
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F8
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1987-053A 1987-053A]<br><small>18123</small>
|20 Jun 1987
|Atlas E
|823
| 96.89
| 564
| 653
| 97.6
| In orbit; first to carry [[SSM/I]] microwave imaging sensor to see through clouds
| USA-26
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F9
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1988-006A 1988-006A]<br><small>18822</small>
|3 Feb 1988
|Atlas E
|823
|101.3
|815
|826
|98.7
|In orbit
| USA-29
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F10
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1990-105A 1990-105A]<br><small>20978</small>
|1 Dec 1990
|Atlas E
|823
|100.6
|729
|845
|98.9
|Operational, but not in desired orbit
| USA-68
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F11
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1991-082A 1991-082A]<br><small>21798</small>
|28 Nov 1991
|Atlas E
|823
|101.9
|835
|855
|98.9
|Exploded in orbit in 2004 <ref name="jonathan527">{{cite news |url= http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.527 |title= Jonathan's Space Report No. 527 |author= Jonathan McDowell |date= 2 June 2004 |access-date= 2 March 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170308133706/http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.527 |archive-date= 8 March 2017 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref name="20161027-spacedotcom" />
| USA-73
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F12
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1994-057A 1994-057A]<br><small>23233</small>
|29 Aug 1994
|Atlas E
|830
|101.9
|839
|856
|98.9
|Exploded in orbit in 2016<ref name="20161027-spacedotcom">{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/34511-another-u-s-air-force-weather-satellite-just-broke-up-in-orbit.html |title=Another U.S. Air Force Weather Satellite Just Broke Up in Orbit |last1=Berger |first1=Brian |date=27 October 2016 |website=www.space.com |publisher=Space News |access-date=27 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027131256/http://www.space.com/34511-another-u-s-air-force-weather-satellite-just-broke-up-in-orbit.html |archive-date=27 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| USA-106
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F13
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1995-015A 1995-015A]<br><small>23533</small>
|24 March 1995
|Atlas E
|830
|101.9
|845
|854
|98.8
|Exploded in orbit in February 2015<ref>{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/20-year-old-military-weather-satellite-apparently-exploded-in-orbit/ |title= 20-year-old Military Weather Satellite Apparently Exploded in Orbit |author= Brian Berger, Mike Gruss |date= 27 February 2015 |publisher= Space News }}</ref>
| USA-109
|-
|DMSP 5D-2/F14
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1997-012A 1997-012A]<br><small>24753</small>
|4 Apr 1997
|[[Titan 23G]]
|830
|101.9
|842
|855
|98.9
|Decommissioned in 2020.<ref name="F14decommissioned">{{cite news |title=Satellite decommissioned on Space Force orders after 22 years |url=https://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2020/02/24/satellite-decommissioned-on-space-force-orders-after-22-years/ |access-date=13 April 2020 |date=24 February 2020}}</ref> Exploded in orbit in December 2024<ref name="F14exploded">{{cite news |url= https://spacenews.com/retired-military-weather-satellite-breaks-up/ |title= Retired military weather satellite breaks up |author= Jeff Foust |date= December 20, 2024 |publisher= SpaceNews }}</ref>
| USA-131
|-
|DMSP 5D-3/F15
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1999-067A 1999-067A]<br><small>25991</small>
|12 Dec 1999
| Titan 23G 
|
| 101.8
| 837
| 851 
| 98.9
|In orbit (5D-2 suite of instruments)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/d/dmsp-block-5d|title=DMSP Block 5D-3 Satellite Series|website=Earth Observation Portal|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325232206/https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/d/dmsp-block-5d|archive-date=2018-03-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
|USA-147
|-
|DMSP 5D-3/F16
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2003-048A 2003-048A]<br><small>28054</small>
|18 Oct 2003 
| Titan 23G
|
| 101.9
| 843
| 853 
| 98.9
|In orbit
|USA-172
|-
|DMSP 5D-3/F17
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2006-050A 2006-050A]<br><small>29522</small>
|04 Nov 2006 
| Delta IV
|
| 102
| 841
| 855 
| 98.8
|In orbit
|USA-191
|-
|DMSP 5D-3/F18
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2009-057A 2009-057A]<br><small>35951</small>
|18 Oct 2009 
| Atlas V
| 1200
| 101.9
| 843
| 857
| 98.9
|In orbit.<ref name=f18>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/1018_ss_DMSP.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020203926/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/1018_ss_DMSP.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |title=Nation's Newest USAF Environmental Satellite Launched |publisher=LM |date=October 18, 2009 }}</ref>  Included a 2.4 hour post-spacecraft mission test of [[Centaur (rocket stage)#Atlas V cryogenic fluid management experiments|cryogenic fluid management]] on the Centaur upper stage.<ref name=ula200910>
[http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/publications/SuccessfulFlightDemonstrationConductedbytheAirForceandUnitedLaunchAllianceWillEnhanceSpaceTransportation_.pdf Successful Flight Demonstration Conducted by the Air Force and United Launch Alliance Will Enhance Space Transportation: DMSP-18] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717153030/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/publications/SuccessfulFlightDemonstrationConductedbytheAirForceandUnitedLaunchAllianceWillEnhanceSpaceTransportation_.pdf |date=2011-07-17 }}, ''[[United Launch Alliance]]'', October 2009, accessed 2011-01-10.</ref>
|USA-210
|-
|DMSP 5D-3/F19
|[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2014-015A 2014-015A]<br><small>39630</small>
|3 Apr 2014 
| Atlas V
|
| 101.85
| 840
| 853
| 98.85
|F19 stopped responding to commands on 11 February 2016 due to a power failure affecting an encrypted command-and-control system. The satellite continued to report telemetry and some real-time weather data, but could no longer be commanded. The data was reported as tactical data to field units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spacenews.com/u-s-air-force-blames-power-failure-for-loss-of-dmsp-f19-weather-satellite//|title=U.S. Air Force blames power failure for loss of DMSP-F19 weather satellite - SpaceNews.com|website=SpaceNews.com|date=26 July 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=DoD meteorological satellite mission to end |url=https://spacenews.com/dod-meteorological-satellite-mission-to-end/ |access-date=12 January 2023 |date=4 August 2017}}</ref> The attitude control was lost in October 2017, thus ending the mission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krebs |first1=Gunter |title=DMSP-5D3 F15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/dmsp-5d3.htm |access-date=12 January 2023}}</ref> F19 has started to break apart, creating several pieces of debris.
|USA-249
|-
|}
   
In 2015, Congress voted to terminate the DMSP program and to scrap the DMSP 5D-3/F20 satellite, ordering the Air Force to move on to a next-generation system. The Air Force had intended to keep DMSP F20 in climate-controlled storage at a Lockheed Martin clean room in Sunnyvale, California, for a time in case it needed to be called up for launch in the coming years,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Stephen|title=Air Force ends effort to recover DMSP weather satellite|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/03/30/air-force-ends-effort-to-recover-dmsp-weather-satellite/|access-date=24 November 2017|work=Spaceflight Now|date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808120452/https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/03/30/air-force-ends-effort-to-recover-dmsp-weather-satellite/|archive-date=8 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>  and in the aftermath of the failure of DMSP 5D-3/F19, the USAF was reconsidering the future of DMSP-5D3 F-20. However, in late 2016, the USAF began scrapping DMSP-5D3 F-20.

==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
File:DMSP Block-4.jpg|DMSP 4 Satellite
File:DMSP SLC-10.PNG|DMSP 4A Shroud at [[SLC-10]]
File:DMSP Block5.jpg|DMSP 5
File:DMSP Block-5A.jpg|DMSP 5A Satellite
File:DMSP Block 5D1.PNG|DMSP 5D-1
File:DMSP Block 5D2.PNG|DMSP 5D-2
File:WR Fair1.jpg|FAIR Operations room ca. 1977
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Astronomy|Solar System|Space}}
* [[NPOESS]] - the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System
* [[Space debris]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130217074535/http://www.nro.gov/history/csnr/programs/docs/prog-hist-02.pdf R. Cargill Hall - A History of the Military Polar Orbiting Meteorological Satellite Program] 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051214025514/http://dmsp.ngdc.noaa.gov/ National Geophysical Data Center archive of DMSP data]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030624105851/http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=94 Air Force Fact Sheet] (dead-link)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070214011934/http://www.zianet.com/jpage/spysats/weather/dmsp.html The High Ground - DMSP] (dead-link)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040913092215/http://www.afrlhorizons.com/Briefs/Aug04/VS0308.html Air Force Research Lab Horizons magazine article]
* [https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123023558/ Air Force news article]
* [http://cindispace.utdallas.edu/DMSP SSIES ionospheric instrument data page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404171918/http://cindispace.utdallas.edu/DMSP/ |date=2008-04-04 }}

{{USAF space vehicles}}
{{USAF Weapons}}
{{US Reconnaissance Satellites}}
{{USAF system codes}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}

[[Category:Derelict satellites orbiting Earth]]
[[Category:United States Air Force|Meteorological Satellite Program]]
[[Category:Weather satellites of the United States]]
[[Category:Military satellites of the United States]]
[[Category:Military space program of the United States]]
[[Category:1962 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:1963 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:1973 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Atlas rockets]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Delta IV rockets]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Titan rockets]]
[[Category:Satellite series]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Spacecraft that broke apart in space]]