The Air Force Thursday successfully launched a Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
Lockheed Martin [LMT], manufacturer of the DMSP-19, said it confirmed signal acquisition shortly after launch. DMSP satellites fulfill requirements for global atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial and space environment information. Through these satellites, military users find, track and forecast weather systems over remote and hostile areas for deployed troops.
ULA said its next launch is the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) NROL-67 mission planned for no earlier than April 10 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. That launch has been delayed by a tracking radar issue. The Air Force said March 28 it would take approximately three weeks for the tracking radar to be repaired.
ULA is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing [BA].