NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

DMSP-5D1 F3

Launch Time
Mon May 01, 1978 03:05 UTC

Rocket

Thor LV2F Star-ISS
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 3

Mission Details

DMSP-5D1 F3

DMSP-5D1 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D1) was the ninth version of the military meteorological satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. These version was also known as AMS (Advanced Meteorological Satellite).

This series introduced a new 3-axis stabilized bus with integrated propulsion system, so that the satellite itself acted as an upper stage for the launch vehicle. It consisted of a Star-37XE and a Star-37S motor and the ISS (Integrated Stage System) control system featuring four axial hydrazine thrusters. Power was supplied by a single, articulated 8-segmented solar array.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 513.0 kg
Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Location

SLC-10W (75-2-6), Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1978

43rd orbital launch attempt

Thor-Burner

29th mission
1st mission of 1978
26th successful mission
3rd consecutive successful mission