DOD Turns to Partners’ Weather Data While Waiting for Space Force’s Satellites

The Department of Defense plans to collaborate with partners as the U.S. Space Force readies its weather monitoring satellites.

While waiting for the satellites, the department will augment the gap using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Japan Meteorological Agency and other partners. The department has been dependent on an aging Defense Meteorological Satellite Program constellation to provide essential environment monitoring.

In a recent Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event, Col. Patrick Williams, the U.S. Air Force’s director of weather, said the constellation no longer provides the military branch needed data for military missions, SpaceNews reported.

A Mitchell Institute report on DOD’s environmental monitoring satellites released Monday echoed Williams’ sentiment. It criticized the department’s “lagging efforts” to modernize the satellites. Tim Ryan, the report’s author, said the Defense Department’s solution does not address the military’s specific requirements.

The government aims to address the issue with the Electro-Optical/Infrared Weather Systems. Under EWS, the Space Force will deliver a prototype cubesat and a small EO/IR satellite, both capable of performing the DMSP’s functions.