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A Lockheed Martin-built Titan II launch vehicle successfully placed the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Block 5D-3 spacecraft into orbit this morning for the U.S. Air Force. The Titan II lifted off at 9:17 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Space Launch Complex 4West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. DMSP will be used for strategic and tactical weather prediction to aid the U.S. military in planning operations at sea, on land and in the air. This launch marked the end of an era for the Lockheed Martin Titan team as the final refurbished intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) -- dubbed Titan II -- flew a perfect mission, capping an overall success record of 100 percent. "Everyone at Lockheed Martin who has ever been a part of the Titan program watched with pride this morning as we launched another important space asset for our military forces," said G. Thomas Marsh, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "The Titan II program has been an outstanding example of partnership between the Air Force and Lockheed Martin, and we are very proud to fly the final rocket successfully and round out a perfect Titan II record." Titan II ICBMs served as the vanguard of the United States' strategic deterrent for more than two decades. In the late 1960s, 10 Titan IIs also successfully launched astronauts as part of the Gemini program. When the Titan II ICBMs were decommissioned, the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles, Calif., contracted with Lockheed Martin to refurbish 14 for use as space launch vehicles. Today's mission marked the 13th consecutive successful Titan launch. There are no current plans to launch the 14th vehicle.
Equipped with a sophisticated sensor suite that can image visible and infrared cloud cover, the satellite collects specialized meteorological, oceanographic and solar-geophysical information in all weather conditions. The DMSP constellation comprises two spacecraft in near-polar orbits, C3 (command, control and communications), user terminals and weather centers. The most recent launch of a DMSP spacecraft took place on Dec. 12, 1999 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. That launch marked the first of the Block 5D-3 satellites. The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. manages the DMSP and Titan programs. Related Links Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Lockheed Martin SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express 
US To Boost Reconnaissance With Powerful New Birds
Washington - Feb 12, 2002The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) will spearhead research and development activities to identify new intelligence collection technologies including new longer dwelling satellites, Peter Teets, under secretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), told reporters at the Pentagon last week. Weather Directorate Strengthens International Relations 
Washington (AFPN) May 26, 2001The secretary of the Air Force for international affairs recently approved the Air Force Directorate Of Weather's request to release previously restricted weather data and software programs to many U.S. allies and coalition partners. This sharing of technology and information forges a new path in the international arena, weather officials said. |
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