Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | U.S. Air Force weather satellite to launch Sunday

U.S. Air Force weather satellite to launch Sunday
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: Dec. 11, 1999

DMSP in pad clean room
DMSP weather satellite atop Titan 2 rocket in launch pad clean room. Photo: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space

The U.S. Air Force has resolved a technical glitch that forced a one day delay in the launch of a new weather satellite from California.

Officials said Friday that an unexpected switch in the power supply to an electronics box seen during tests on the satellite was now understood, clearing the way for launch on Sunday.

Additional tests conducted over the past few days convinced the U.S. Air Force and satellite builder Lockheed Martin that the problem would not harm the $250 million craft once in space.

The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F15 spacecraft will be carried into a polar orbit atop a Titan 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Sunday's launch window will extend from 1738 to 1748 GMT (12:38-12:48 p.m. EST). Forecasters predict favorable weather conditions for launch.

The new satellite will enter service about a month after launch, replacing two older DMSP spacecraft.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Titan 2
Payload: DMSP 5D-3-F15
Launch date: Dec. 12, 1999
Launch window: 1738-1748 GMT (1238-1248 EST)
Launch site: SLC-4W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

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