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DMSP Data
DMSP mission data downlinks are encrypted so that only users with decryption equipment can access the data in real time. The data from the DMSP satellites are received and used at operational centers continuously. The decrypted data cannot be released to the public until it is at least three hours old. The Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) sends decrypted data to the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) for creation of an archive. Examples of DMSP Data DMSP imagery data consists of the primary visual and infrared data produced by the Operational Linescan System (OLS), as well as microwave imagery products from the microwave sensors. OL-S data comes in two forms: Fine (0.3 nautical mile resolution) and Smooth (1.5 nautical mile resolution). Thermal Fine (TF) data is collected continuously, both day and night by the IR detector. Light Fine (LF) data is collected by a silicon detector during the day. At night, a photomultiplier tube performs the data collection task. 
Image 1: DMSP Visual (Light) Data 
Image 2: DMSP Infrared (Thermal) Data The combination of light and thermal data in multispectral analyses provides even more information (Image 3). Low clouds appear in shades of yellow. High clouds range from cyan through blue. Intermingled or adjacent colors indicate mixtures of layering of clouds. In the image below over the Mideast, there are high clouds along the top edge of the image. The upper right quadrant is predominately low cloud, with a small amount of high cloud above. Across the center is a layer of high cloud, with mid-level and lower clouds on the right. 
Image 3: DMSP Multispectral Imagery Night-time Visual Imagery  
Image 4a/4b: The image before the invasion (left) was taken on 24 March 1999 at 1921Z, the image taken after the invasion (right) was taken on 25 March 1999 at 1908Z. Difference after bombings in Saudi invasion. OLS Hurrican Images 
Image 5: DMSP Infrared (Thermal) Image of Hurricane Isabel 18 Sept 03 
Image 6: DMSP Light Fine Image of Hurricane Keith 1 Oct 00 DSMP data used in typhoon and hurricane reconnnaissance mission or Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) is now used in place of WC-130 reconnaissance aircraft in WESTPAC since 1987 and is also important asset fo reconnaissance in Eastern/Southern Pacific and Indian Oceans. |