Atlas V Launched From Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Team Vandenberg successfully launched

the 19th U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program payload on

an Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-3 here Thursday, April 3, at

7:46 am PDT.

The DMSP satellite was built by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman and

United Launch Alliance builds and flies the rocket.

Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision

authority.

“This was our first launch of 2014 and I couldn’t be more proud of this team

of professionals,” said Balts. “The team, which included the Space and

Missile Systems Center, ULA, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, worked

diligently to ensure that this launch was safe and successful.”

The 4th Space Launch Squadron is in charge of mission assurance and safety

for this launch operation.

“A launch like this takes teamwork and dedication,” said Lt. Col. James

Bodnar, 4th SLS commander. “Our mission assurance technicians and engineers

have worked hand-in-hand with United Launch Alliance going over critical

procedures and tasks to ensure this launch was successful.”

DMSP is the primary provider of terrestrial and space weather information

for the U.S. military. DMSP satellites carry sensors vital to weather

prediction and space weather forecasting. DMSP sensors provide visible,

infrared, microwave and space weather data to enhance information available

to the warfighter. The Air Force, in partnership with the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration, works to continually improve the developing

science of weather forecasting. DMSP satellites produce global coverage to

provide the military with timely, accurate and continuous weather

information.