After on-orbit testing and performance verification conducted by Space Systems Command (SSC) and its development partners, the US Space Force (USSF) has operationally accepted and declared initial operational capability for the Weather System Follow-on – Microwave (WSF-M) satellite. WSF-M will provide environmental data to warfighters conducting mission planning and operations around the globe.
Meteorological value
WSF-M fulfills three high-priority Department of Defense (DoD) space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) capabilities by measuring ocean surface vector winds, tropical cyclone intensity and energetic charged particle characterization in low Earth orbit. Additionally, WSF-M will provide data on sea-ice characterization, soil moisture and snow depth.
The data gathered by WSF-M will be provided to meteorologists to support the generation of a wide variety of weather products necessary to conduct military mission planning and operations.
“WSF-M pinpoints actionable weather data on a global scale 24/7, empowering our joint forces to plan strategically and respond swiftly, no matter the environmental conditions,” said Col. Robert Davis, program executive officer at SSC Space Sensing.
WSF-M is part of the USSF’s pivot to hybrid architectures for weather monitoring capabilities, designed to give warfighters the informational advantage provided by accurate and timely weather data.
“The operational acceptance of the WSF-M satellite is a pivotal milestone in the Space Force’s focus on transitioning toward a more affordable, scalable and resilient weather satellite constellation,” noted Davis.
Operational testing timeline
WSF-M launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California April 11, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Upon separation from the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle, WSF-M reached its intended orbit and satellite operations personnel began checkout activities of its light shade, solar arrays and antennas. Following these activities, the team tuned and calibrated the payload sensors and readied them for warfighter use.
Since then, the satellite has undergone numerous operational tests by USSF centralized weather support units, various military services, government and allied organizations to validate data quality, ground support and mission data processing capability. With the recent completion of its operational trial period, the satellite has completed all requirements for operational acceptance.
“The performance of the first WSF-M satellite during on-orbit evaluations exceeded our expectations,” said Col. Daniel Visosky, SSC senior materiel leader. “The calibration campaign was exceptionally smooth, allowing us to declare operational acceptance even faster than we expected.”
USSF’s environmental and tactical surveillance acquisition
SSC’s environmental and tactical surveillance acquisition delta leads the development of space-based environmental monitoring capabilities for the Department of Defense, augmenting key capabilities of the legacy Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.
“Our nation depends on the ML-1A [WSF-M’s official nomenclature] and the dedication of our military and civilian guardians and airmen who support this vital mission. They help ensure the USSF does our part to achieve joint and national security objectives,” said Col. Raj Agrawal, commander of the USSF Space Operations Command (SpOC) Mission Delta 2, the space force’s mission area command for space domain awareness. “The space professionals across Mission Delta 2 are proud to continue the tradition of generating combat power, which operates space domain awareness systems, including the DoD’s environmental monitoring satellites, with the first next-generation ML-1A satellite supporting warfighters across the globe. Many thanks to our SSC teammates and industry partners for enabling this smooth transition to operations.”
In related news, NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite, the final satellite in its GOES-R Series, recently began operations as GOES East. Click here to read the full story.