The U.S. Air Force has launched a Lockheed Martin-built satellite into orbit for the military’s terrestrial and space weather program.The 19th defense meteorological satellite lifted off from the United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V launch vehicle on April 3 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Air Force said Thursday.
Col. Scott Larrimore, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s defense weather systems directorate, said the spacecraft is intended to help fulfill the weather support requirements of operational commanders for the next 10 years.
The satellite contains two Northrop Grumman-built sensors, namely the Operational Linescan System for visible and infrared cloud data collection and the Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder for weather forecasting functions.
Aerojet Rocketdyne also developed the upper-stage engine, helium pressurization tanks and Centaur monopropellant upper-stage thrusters for roll, pitch, yaw control and upper stage settling burns.
