Julie Kalista
Online Editor
Has more technology really helped predict the weather? No matter how you feel, perhaps the Defense Meteorlogical Satellite Program (DMSP) will help. An F-17 spacecraft aboard a Delta IV rocket launched on Saturday November 4, 2006 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. This satellite went into near-polar orbit carrying sensors designed for monitoring meteorological, oceanographic, and solar-geophysical factors for military use. The satellite also provides space environmental data to assist with high-frequency communications, over-the-horizon radar, and re-entry tasks. Since this satellite is designed to predict the forecast for military tasks maybe it will be more accurate in weather prediction?
This web-only article appeared in the Aerospace e-mail newsletter. If you enjoyed this article and would like to read similar articles sign up today for our
free e-mail newsletters!