DMSP 5D-2
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
Part of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) program

DMSP 5D-2 is the military's sixth generation of weather satellites. The DMSP 5D-2 satellites operate in two satellite constellations to provide world-wide meteorological, oceanographic and solar-terrestrial physics measurements on a twice-daily basis. The visible and infrared sensors collect images of global cloud distribution across a 3,000 km swath during both daytime and nightime conditions. The coverage of the microwave imager and sounders are one-half the visible and infrared sensors coverage, covering the polar regions above 60 deg on a twice-daily basis but the equatorial region on a daily basis. The space environmental sensors record along-track plasma densities, velocities, composition and drifts.

Spacecraft
Based on GE Tiros bus. 3-axis stabilized using reaction wheels, torque rods to 0.01 deg. Hydrazine propulsion system for orbit insertion, nitrogen propulsion system for stationkeeping. Star sensors and gyros procide 0.01 deg. knowledge. Earth sensor, sun sensor carried as backup. Data stored on tape recorder. Solar array generates 900 W (BOL). NiCd batteries with 30 AHr capacity. S-band communications: 5 W RF, 5 MHz bandwidth, omni antennas. Controlled from Offutt AFB, Nebraska with terminals at Loring AFB, Maine, Fairchild AFB, Washington, and AFRTS Hawaii.

Payload
Typical payload mass is approximately 110 kg, and includes Operational Linescan System (OLS) - visible/infrared imager, SSM/T - atmospheric sounder producing cloud temperature profiles, SSM/I - microwave imager measuring ice coverage, precipitation areas and intensities, cloud water content, ocean surface wind speeds, SSB/X2 - gamma and x-ray spectrometer, SSJ/4 - measures proton and electron densitites, SSM - magnetometer.

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	USAF, NOAA
Manufacturer(s)	GE Astro Space
Size	1.2 m diam x 3.4 m long (stowed)
Orbit	Typically 820-860 km, polar, sun-synchronous, 6 am or 10:30 am local time
Design Life	3 years
Related Sites	NOAA DMSP Page

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
DMSP 5D-2 F1	1982-118A	12/21/82	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	750
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
DMSP 5D-2 F2	1983-113A	11/18/83	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	750
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
DMSP 5D-2 F3	1987-053A	6/20/87	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	750
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
DMSP 5D-2 F4	1988-006A	2/3/88	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	750
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
DMSP 5D-2 F5	1990-105A	12/1/90	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	750
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program; broken nozzle prevented from reaching desired orbit
DMSP 5D-2 F6 (USA 73)	1991-082A	11/28/91	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	830
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
DMSP 5D-2 F7	1994-057A	8/29/94	WSMC	Atlas E	LEO	830
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program