The successful launch on October 18th of the Space and Missile Systems Center's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 18 on an Atlas V rocket marked significant program milestones for both the Defense Meteorological Satellite and Atlas rocket programs. For DMSP, the launch marked the first time a DMSP satellite was launched aboard an Atlas V rocket and the 51st launch of a DMSP satellite, overall. Though DMSP may be considered a lesser known program, its ability to provide space and terrestrial weather data to the warfighter has reaped significant benefits.

Specifically, DMSP satellites can see certain environmental features such as water, cloud, fire and snow in both the visual and infrared spectrum. Interpreted data includes cloud type, land and surface water temperature and other areas. The data is interpreted and passed on to military leaders in operations planning. Comments made after yesterday's launch success point out this key aspect of the Department of Defense's weather mission. "DMSP F18 was perfectly inserted into its nominal orbit by the Atlas 5 booster," said Col. Steve Pluntze, DMSP Systems Group commander. The spacecraft has already begun early orbit testing and should be producing data for U.S. warfighters before the end of the year. Super job by the entire launch team and the DMSP Program

This launch also marked a significant milestone for the Atlas rocket program. This event became the seventh Department of Defense Atlas V mission, the second Atlas V launch from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg AFB, and the 18th Atlas V mission overall. Members of the launch team lauded the mission's success and the Mission Director acknowledged the team's efforts in making this launch a complete success.

"I'd like to thank and congratulate our Air Force, Aerospace and industry team led by the United Launch Alliance for a fantastic launch this morning," said Col. Michael Moran, DMSP Flt 18 mission director and Atlas Group commander at SMC. "This mission represents a tremendous milestone for the Atlas program as our 600th Atlas launch.  Although this mission's success is the culmination of a very challenging campaign, we clearly understand that this is only the beginning of the real mission to provide superior weather capabilities to our warfighting forces and the global community.  Go Atlas!  Go Centaur!  Go DMSP F18!"

In its 17 launches, from its maiden launch in August 2002 to September 2009, Atlas V has had a near-perfect success rate. Payloads for the Atlas V have included military communications satellites, satellites belonging to the intelligence community and various research satellites. In its 17 launches, from its maiden launch in August 2002 to September 2009, Atlas V has had a near-perfect success rate. For the DMSP Flt 18 mission, the payload was encapsulated in a 4 meter diameter payload fairing and then integrated with the Centaur Upper Stage

From its beginnings in the late 1950s, the Atlas program has evolved to meet the challenges of spacelift into the 21st century.  The Atlas V is the newest member of the Atlas family and is a direct descendant of the previous Atlas II and especially the Atlas III vehicles.  Most propulsion, avionic and structural elements are either identical to, or straightforward derivations of, those used on the previous vehicles. The Atlas V was developed by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services as part of the Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.  It resulted from Lockheed Martin’s combination of best practices from both the Atlas and Titan programs into an evolved commercial and government launch system for the 21st century.  Atlas V builds on the design innovations demonstrated on Atlas III and incorporates a structurally stable booster propellant tank, enhanced payload fairing options and optional strap-on solid rocket boosters.