U.S. military weather satellite launched

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U.S. military weather observatory fires into orbit

A new global weather observatory for the U.S. armed forces was lofted into orbit aboard its Atlas 5 booster rocket from California on Thursday to provide tactical forecasts to military operations.

Powering away from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 7:46 a.m. local (10:46 a.m. EDT; 1446 GMT), the liftoff was timed to deliver the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 19 spacecraft into its precise orbit 530 miles high.

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[+OverSword]

I wonder why they need their own weather satellite? Maybe it's hardened against EMP?

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Maybe it's hardened against EMP?

I doubt it.

They need them because they aren't interested in domestic weather, they need weather forecasts for areas where military operations are likely/under way. Iraq and Afghanistan come to mind. Or alternatively for areas where potential enemies may be taking/about to take military action, for example the Russian-Ukrainian border.

Meteorology has been an important part of military decision making since military decision making began.

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Atlas V DMSP-19 Launch Highlights

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force's DMSP-19 satellite lifts off from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. This marked United Launch Alliance's 80th success. For the past 50 years, the DMSP satellites have fulfilled the military's most critical requirements for global atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial and space environment information.

Credit: United Launch Alliance

Source: United Launch Alliance - YouTube Channel