DoD to cutoff satellite data access to forecasters

[Hannah.Taylor]

The DoD has announced they will no longer provide satellite data to forecasters.

Especially concerning is that Hurricane forecasters will not have critical satellite imagery.

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/28/nx-s1-5446120/defense-department-cuts-hurricane-ice-weather-satellite

 

[Mike Smith]

The date has been pushed back to July 31.

BREAKING NEWS: More on the Hurricane-Related Weather Satellite Issue

9:25am Monday: The deadline for turning off the data has been pushed back to July 31. And, it has been confirmed that cybersecurity is the i...

www.mikesmithenterprisesblog.com

 

[Dave C]

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about this one. The article feels a bit misleading in labeling the data 'critical' and failing to present much of the broader context.

"Critical" data by definition implies the data is paramount in decision making or a single source, but NOAA actually has many other newer satellites (JPSS, etc) with similar instruments and orbits. The article confirms NOAA is not concerned about forecast accuracy. Also, recon flights into the hurricane often are the best adjustment of actual path and intensity prediction. I think the main loss here is frequency of orbits with a specific sensor type.

DMSP was canceled 10 years ago by congress, and the satellites are all well past their design lifetime. More than half of the 19 sats in the last block (5D) are out of commission, and another quarter of them exploded on orbit. The last sat in the series was canceled and never launched since newer technology is in orbit or being developed now. Anyone still using the DMSP data without transitioning, and now finding themselves surprised at the end of product availability has sort of shot themselves in the foot. National programs are always subject to budget adjustments and technology course corrections.

For example JPSS program (5 satellites including NPP, of which 2 are still to launch) created a new weather sat architecture for shared use in a defense and civilian role (the shared nature being the "joint" in joint polar) but it was realized that this approach compromised needs of both missions and was becoming wasteful spending trying to be everything to everyone. The program was also terminated, and now civilian and defense sat programs are moving on each with their own tailored approach. So, we are already two generations of thinking/spending past DMSP, and perhaps 8-10 years past the intended design life of the last launched unit.

While it is certainly nice to get data off of old sats well beyond their planned lifetime, and users can become used to it, that data should not be relied upon too exclusively.

A nice source for detailed context on such matters is SpaceNews, among others.