MILNET: Satellites - Defense Meteorlogical Satellite Program (DMSP)
The DMSP satellites are valuable tools used in the care and safety of the
the U.S. military forces worldwide. Essentially weather reporting systems,
they also scan moisture, temperature levels, measure xray levels, and the
electrons that create auroras in order to predict changes in electromagnetic
propogation planetwide. The system also tracks and measure degree and movement
Air Force Magazine 1 reports the dimensions as 11 ft 6 in high, width at
4 ft 9in, and a length of 19ft 3in. Weight is estimated at 1,750 lbs.
The orbit is estimated by Air Force Magazine at 500 miles altitude and
the satellites are capable of scanning an area of about 1,800 miles.
Coverage is full Earth in about 12 hours time.
1 Air Force Magazine, Air Force Almanac 1997, pgs 147-148.
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