DMSP 5D-3 F16

USA

Spacecraft n°:

USA satellite n°:

Defense Meteorological Satellites Program
Also called USA-172 and DMSP B5D3-2

Launch data:

Designation 28054 / 03048A
Launch date18 Oct 2003 - 16:17 UT
Launch site Va, SLC-4W
Launch vehicle  Titan 2 SLV (23G-9 #25)
MissionMilitary: Earth Science/Meteorology
Sun-Synchronous LEO Earth orbit:
Perigee / Apogee 843 x 852 km
Eccentricity 6.23E-04
Inclination 98.9 deg
Period 101.87 min

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor  Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space
Platform  based on Tiros N bus
Operator DoD/NOAA
Mass at launch  1154 kg
Dry Mass 825 kg
Basic shape  
Dimension (m) 
Solar array  
Stabilization  
DC power  900 W
Design lifetime  5 yrs - still active

Mission details:

First launch attempt was in Jan 2001. The satellite had problems with its IMU before launch (a navigation component), and delayed occured. Then a leak in the propulsion system was spotted. Later, problems with soldering joints inside the SSMIS were discovered.

The main instrument is the Operational Linescan System (OLS) weather imager; it also carries sensors SSMIS (microwave imager and sounder), SSULI ultraviolet limb imager, SSUSI ultraviolet spectrographic imager and nadir airglow photometer, SSI/ES-3 thermal plasma instrument, and the SSJ/5 precipitating particle spectrometer as well as the SSF laser threat warning sensor.
Near-polar orbits; investigate Earth's environment.

Ref: #7, #14, #15, #226 - update: 18.05.10