The U.S. Space Force announced Thursday that its newest weather satellite is now fully operational. Developed by Ball Aerospace, the satellite represents a significant milestone in the Space Force’s Weather Satellite Tracking program (WSF-M). Launched more than a year ago, the new-generation spacecraft is the first tangible step in modernizing the military weather satellite fleet, which has been in orbit for nearly 60 years.
Orbital Tests Went Smoother Than Expected
“The operational acceptance of the WSF-M satellite is a critical milestone in the Space Force’s transition to a more cost-effective, scalable and resilient weather satellite constellation,” said Col. Robert Davis, who leads the Space Systems Command’s sensing portfolio. “This new satellite will begin collecting and sharing vital weather data with military planners and operational units.”
Transition to Hybrid Satellite Architecture is Targeted
The Space Force is undergoing a significant transformation in the creation of a new satellite constellation to replace the current and near-life Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). The WSF-M program and its companion projects are intended to serve as a bridge to future weather intelligence capabilities. As part of this comprehensive effort, the Space Force is evaluating a hybrid satellite architecture that combines smaller, lower-cost satellites, commercial systems, and government spacecraft.
Current DMSP Fleet Nearing End of Life
As the Space Force charts the path for this new approach, the DMSP fleet, which represents the current weather satellite capability, is nearing the end of its service life and is projected to begin running out of fuel next year. DMSP sensors can measure critical meteorological data, such as atmospheric humidity, cloud cover and precipitation.
Next Generation Satellite Programs: WSF-M and EWS
The Pentagon has faced challenges over the past 20+ years in developing a reliable replacement for the DMSP. The National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) project, launched in the 1990s, was canceled due to repeated cost overruns and schedule delays. Similarly, a second attempt, the Defense Weather Satellite System (DWSS), was killed by lawmakers in 2012 due to mismanagement.
The Space Force’s current plan to strengthen existing sensor capabilities while developing a long-term strategy involves splitting requirements between two major programs: WSF-M and the Electro-Optical Weather System (EWS).
The WSF-M satellites will be able to precisely detect wind speeds and the intensity of tropical storms, as well as determine important data such as snow and soil depth, while the EWS satellites will use advanced electro-optical infrared sensors to provide high-resolution visual images of cloud cover and provide forecast data that will directly impact military operations.
The Space Force’s current plans call for a second WSF-M satellite to launch in 2028. An EWS cubesat built by Orion Space Systems has already launched, and two additional EWS spacecraft built by General Atomics are scheduled to launch this year and 2027. These next-generation satellites will provide advanced weather intelligence capabilities critical to the U.S. military’s future operational needs.
