spase-metadata.org SPASE landing pages.

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, DMSP-F18

ResourceID
spase://SMWG/Observatory/DMSP_5D-3/F18

Description

DMSP-F18, also known as DMSP 5D-3 F18 or USA 210, is a US Department of Defense weather
satellite launched on an Atlas 5 rocket on 18 October 2009 at 16:12 UT from Vandenberg. The 1,200 kg
satellite, one of several in the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, will provide terrestrial
and space weather data from a near-polar, Sun-synchronous, 830 km altitude orbit with the Local
Time nodes for DMSP F18 of 20:00 and 8:00. The DMSP satellites
monitor the meteorological, oceanographic and solar-terrestrial physics environments. The primary weather
sensor on DMSP is the Operational Linescan System, which provides continuous visual and infrared imagery
of cloud cover. Additional satellite sensors measure atmospheric vertical profiles of moisture and
temperature. DMSP satellites also measure space environmental parameters such as local charged
particles and electromagnetic fields.

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Details

Version:2.7.1

Observatory

ResourceID
spase://SMWG/Observatory/DMSP_5D-3/F18
ResourceHeader
ResourceName
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, DMSP-F18
AlternateName
DMSP_5D-3/F18
AlternateName
DMSP-F18
AlternateName
USA 210
AlternateName
35951
ReleaseDate
2026-07-20 16:23:09Z
RevisionHistory
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2019-05-05 12:34:56Z
Note
Only known prior ReleaseDate of the metadata
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2026-07-20 16:23:09Z
Note
Added HelioData InformationURL, Updated to SPASE Version 2.7.1. JWL
Description

DMSP-F18, also known as DMSP 5D-3 F18 or USA 210, is a US Department of Defense weather
satellite launched on an Atlas 5 rocket on 18 October 2009 at 16:12 UT from Vandenberg. The 1,200 kg
satellite, one of several in the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, will provide terrestrial
and space weather data from a near-polar, Sun-synchronous, 830 km altitude orbit with the Local
Time nodes for DMSP F18 of 20:00 and 8:00. The DMSP satellites
monitor the meteorological, oceanographic and solar-terrestrial physics environments. The primary weather
sensor on DMSP is the Operational Linescan System, which provides continuous visual and infrared imagery
of cloud cover. Additional satellite sensors measure atmospheric vertical profiles of moisture and
temperature. DMSP satellites also measure space environmental parameters such as local charged
particles and electromagnetic fields.

Acknowledgement
DMSP Data Manager, NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, NESDIS
Contacts
RolePersonStartDateStopDateNote
1.GeneralContactspase://SMWG/Person/Dieter.K.Bilitza
2.MetadataContactspase://SMWG/Person/Lee.Frost.Bargatze
InformationURL
Name
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, DMSP-F18 Web Site
URL
Description

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, DMSP-F18, Information and Details

InformationURL
Name
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, Block 5D-3 Spacecraft Overview
URL
Description

Detailed information on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 5D-3 satellite series.

InformationURL
Name
NSSDC's Master Catalog
URL
Description

Information about the DMSP 5D-3/F18 mission

InformationURL
Name
HelioData
URL
Description

The HelioData mission page provides an overview of the mission and more, such as all SPASE dataset records associated with it.

ObservatoryGroupID
Location
ObservatoryRegion
Earth.NearSurface.Ionosphere
OperatingSpan
StartDate
2009-10-18 00:00:00