The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites are operate complementary to NOAA’s polar-orbiting satellites. Together, these satellites provide the military with important environmental information used in planning and conducting U.S. military operations worldwide and important weather data used to increase the timeliness and accuracy of weather forecasts around the globe.

DMSP satellites provide critical observations to support NOAA’s three to seven-day operational weather forecasts, operational weather “nowcasting” in Alaska and polar regions, and environmental monitoring and prediction.

NOAA operates the DMSP satellites in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, with NOAA responsible for operating the ground systems development and overseeing the satellites daily operation.