On December 18, a significant event occurred in space. A US military weather satellite, DMSP-5D2 F14, broke apart in orbit.
This satellite, weighing around 730 kg, shattered into over 50 pieces. Both the US Space Force and private companies, including LeoLabs and Slingshot Aerospace, recorded the event.
While the exact timing of the crash varies in reports, the cause is clear—the satellite's sudden disintegration.
The DMSP-5D2 F14 was part of a military weather program that dates back to the 1960s.
It was launched as part of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), initially a secret military project.
Its primary mission was to provide weather data to support military operations. Over the years, its role expanded, and since 1972, the data collected by these satellites has been shared with research institutions.
By the 1990s, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) took over managing the satellite network.
Originally, the DMSP satellites operated in sun-synchronous orbits, which allowed them to consistently monitor weather patterns from space.
The information was crucial for military planning and strategy, especially in environments where weather conditions could impact operations.
In 2015, the US Congress decided to phase out the DMSP constellation, opting for more modern systems to meet military weather needs.
Despite this, the DMSP-5D2 F14, launched in 1997, continued to operate until it was deactivated in 2020.
The satellite's break-up was unexpected and not part of any planned decommissioning.
The event serves as a reminder of the growing amount of space debris in orbit. While space technology continues to evolve, the risk of collisions and debris-related accidents also increases.
With more satellites launched every year, the need for proper space debris management is becoming more urgent.
The DMSP-5D2 F14's disintegration is just one example of the challenges faced in maintaining a sustainable environment in space.
