Delta-102 Synchronous Meteorological Satellite (SMS-A): Operations summary

The Synchronous Meteorological Satellite (SMS) program is a joint effort of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Commerce. This program is intended to provide systematic worldwide weather coverage on an operational basis. The pilot SMS program is expected to launch three spacecraft: two prototype spacecraft designated SMS-A and SMS-B and one operational spacecraft designated SMS-C. The SMS program will use spacecraft in synchronous orbit to obtain day and night information on the earth's weather by means of earth imaging instruments, retransmission of image data, data collection, data relay, and space environmental monitoring.