DMSP-5D3 F15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

DMSP-5D3 [USAF]

DMSP-5D3 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D3) is the eleventh and most recent version of the military meteorological satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

This series introduced a improved version of the DMSP-5D2 3-axis stabilized bus with integrated propulsion system, so that the satellite itself acted as an upper stage for the launch vehicle. It consisted of a single Star-37XFP motor and the ISS (Integrated Stage System) control system featuring four axial hydrazine thrusters. Power was supplied by a single, articulated 8-segmented solar array.

The first two satellites (F15, F16) were launched on Titan-2(23)G rockets and required a Star-37XFP kick motor for orbit insertion. The later satellites (F17 -F20) switched to more powerful EELV class launch vehicles (Atlas-5(401), Delta-4M), which are capable of direct orbit insertion, so the solid fuel kick motor is ommited in these satellites.

Instruments on this series are:

• OLS (Operational Linescan System) weather imager
• SSMIS (microwave imager and sounder)
• SSULI ultraviolet limb imager
• SSUSI ultraviolet spectrographic imager and nadir airglow photometer
• SSI/ES-3 thermal plasma instrument
• SSJ/5 precipitating particle spectrometer
• SSF laser threat warning sensor

Following instruments are on the individual satellites:

The DMSP-5D3 series was to be succeded by the jointly with NASA and NOAA developed NPOES system, which was cancelled in 20xx due to massive cost overruns. As a replacement, they were to be replaced by the military DWSS series, which in turn also was cancelled.