[Launch Alert] Launch on Schedule

[Launch Alert]

Thursday morning's Atlas V/DMSP F-19 satellite launch from Vandenberg AFB
appears to be on schedule.

The following is a portion of a statement issued last night from the United
Launch Alliance (the launch vehicle and launch services provider):

"The vehicle Launch Readiness Review was completed today and everything is
on track for the Air Force’s DMSP-19 launch. The mission is set to liftoff
on a ULA Atlas V rocket on Thursday, April 3 from Space Launch Complex 3 at
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 7:46 a.m. PDT. Today’s L-2
forecast continues to show a 90 percent chance of favorable weather
conditions for launch."

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Yesterday the Air Force Space and Missile Center issued the following news
release about the mission:

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 19 Ready for Launch

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif. - The U.S. Air Force is
scheduled to launch the 19th Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman built
Defense Meteorological Satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V
launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on April 3. 

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) polar orbiting satellites
operate in sun-synchronous orbits and continuously send down imagery,
microwave and space weather data providing military forces critical
situational awareness information in support of military operations. Weather
forecasters use such data to predict regional and global weather patterns,
including severe thunderstorms, hurricanes and typhoons.

"For more than five decades, DMSP has been providing reliable, timely and
dependable environmental information essential to the warfighter. DMSP-19
will extend this proud tradition well into the next decade," stated Col.
Scott Larrimore, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center's Defense
Weather Systems Directorate. "Through the continued dedication, detailed
preparation and hard work of our combined government-contractor team,
DMSP-19 is ready to launch," he said.

DMSP has been providing weather data collected from meteorological
satellites since the early 1960s. In conjunction with the other national
agencies, DMSP has been instrumental in the development of modern
meteorological technologies and continues to provide relevant, actionable
information for modern military operations.

The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at
Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of
acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems.
Its portfolio includes GPS, military satellite communications, defense
meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control
networks, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness
capabilities.