Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NOAA) has announced the permanent suspension of all defense meteorological satellite information. “The NOAA-hosted Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) data and products are being suspended,” they said Saturday.
The announcement comes during the first weeks of what has been forecast to be a busy hurricane season. According to the NOAA, by June 30, 2025, information from “all Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) data and products” will be terminated.
“Suspension of All Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Data by June 30, 2025. Product(s) or Data Impacted: All Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) data and products: FINE, SMOOTH and HOUSEKEEPING data from Operational Linescan System (OLS), Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS), and all Near-Earth Space Weather instruments,” they reported in an official statement June 25.
“Due to recent service changes, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and Navy’s Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) will discontinue ingest, processing and distribution of all DMSP data no later than June 30, 2025.
“ESPC interfaces will not receive DMSP data and all data products will be suspended. Users should expect all FINE, SMOOTH and HOUSEKEEPING data from Operational Linescan System (OLS), Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS), and all Near-Earth Space Weather instruments to be terminated. This service change and termination will be permanent,” they explained.
The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) is jointly owned by NOAA and the Department of Defense. The information cut is being made by the U.S. Department of Defense who have operated the satellites that also collect weather information for more than 40 years. However, the U.S. Space Force reported that the satellites will continue to be used by the Department of Defense, just not shared with scientists.
While a lot of the information collected is used to guide U.S. planes and ships globally, the information collected is also used by weather forecasters to monitor developing systems in real time.
The NOAA oversees the National Hurricane Centre. In a statement Kim Doster, Director of NOAA Communications said the loss of the Defense Department data will not lead to less-accurate hurricane forecast.
“NOAA’s data sources are fully capable of providing a complete suite of cutting-edge data and models that ensure the gold-standard weather forecasting.”
There was no reason given for the sudden cut off of information.
