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DMSP-5D2 F6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

DMSP-5D2 [USAF]

DMSP-5D2 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D2) was the tenth version of the military meteorological satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

This series introduced a stretched version of the DMSP-5D1 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-37S 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.

Following instruments are on the individual satellites:

DMSP-5D2 F-6:OLS, SSH-2, SSI/E, SSJ/4, SSB/A
DMSP-5D2 F-7:OLS, SSM/T, SSI/E, SSJ/4, SSB, SSJ*, SSM
DMSP-5D2 F-8:OLS, SSM/I, SSM/T, SSI/ES, SSJ/4, SSB/X-M
DMSP-5D2 F-9:OLS, SSM/T, SSI/ES, SSJ/4, SSK
DMSP-5D2 F-10:OLS, SSM/I, SSM/T, SSI/ES, SSJ/4, SSB/X-2
DMSP-5D2 F-11:OLS, SSM/I, SSM/T, SSM/T-2, SSJ/4, SSI/ES-2, SSB/X-2
DMSP-5D2 F-12:OLS, SSM/I, SSM/T, SSM/T-2, SSJ/4, SSI/ES-2, SSB/X-2, SSM
DMSP-5D2 F-13:OLS, SSM/I, SSM/T, SSJ/4, SSI/ES-2, SSB/X-2, SSM, SSZ
DMSP-5D2 F-14:  OLS, SSM/I, SSM/T, SSM/T-2, SSJ/4, SSI/ES-2, SSM

The 20 year old DMSP-5D2 F13 satellite exploded on 3 February 2015 in orbit, resulting in 43 pieces of space debris. DMSP-5D2 F-14 was decomissioned in February 2020 after 22 years of service.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Meteorology
Operator:
Contractors: RCA Astro → GE Astro → Martin Marietta → Lockheed Martin Astro
Equipment: see above
Configuration: TIROS-N Bus
Propulsion: Star-37S / ISS
Power: Deployable solar array, batteries
Lifetime: 5 years (design); 22 years (reached, #14)
Mass:
Orbit: SSO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
DMSP-5D2 F6 (DMSP-5D2 S6, OPS 9845) 1982-118A 21.12.1982 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F7 (DMSP-5D2 S7, OPS 1294) 1983-113A 18.11.1983 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F8 (DMSP-5D2 S9, USA 26) 1987-053A 20.06.1987 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F9 (DMSP-5D2 S8, USA 29) 1988-006A 03.02.1988 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F10 (DMSP-5D2 S10, USA 68) 1990-105A 01.12.1990 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F11 (DMSP-5D2 S12 USA 73) 1991-082A 28.11.1991 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F12 (DMSP-5D2 S11, USA 106) 1994-057A 29.08.1994 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F13 (DMSP-5D2 S13, USA 109) 1995-015A 24.03.1995 Va SLC-3W Atlas-E Star-37S-ISS
DMSP-5D2 F14 (DMSP-5D2 S14, USA 131) 1997-012A 04.04.1997 Va SLC-4W Titan-2(23)G Star-37S-ISS

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