Steve HermanDoD and NOAA ending access to real time satellite microwave data that weather forecasters consider crucial for determining how quickly hurricanes intensify. https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/messages/2025/06/MSG_20250625_1735.html https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/messages/2025/06/MSG_20250625_1735.html
Bruce Mirken@w7voa Is this as insane as it seems?
Derick Rethans
Tim Nicholas@derickr @BruceMirken @w7voa I'm not sure it is... If this is only the DSMP satellite data, and not the NOAA satellite data then it could just be because the DSMP satellites are EOL - I think there are only 2 left. On the other hand it is very sudden and the US government hasn't earned benefit of the doubt.
ClickyMcTicker@tim @derickr @BruceMirken @w7voa
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
Appears to be DMSP specifically, but I’m not an expert on what that means for us.
@ClickyMcTicker @derickr @BruceMirken @w7voa It does seem that the microwave data is wanted and actively used, so sure sounds like a bad thing for forecasting. https://www.local10.com/weather/hurricane/2025/06/26/critical-hurricane-forecast-tool-abruptly-terminated/
@ClickyMcTicker @derickr @BruceMirken @w7voa I wonder if they'll change to have encryption turned on even as the satellites pass over the US. It seems that until now the DMSP satellites have been transmitting unencrypted during that part of its orbit. This dude set up a rig to receive the data himself... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzmyP1ziDjs
Upgrading My S-Band Satellite Tracking Dish
is that you @saveitforparts? I'm guessing you're not actually on this platform often/at all.
Gabe Emerson@tim I don't always remember to check it, but I try! I'm on too many social media thingys.
@tim @ClickyMcTicker @derickr @w7voa Living in a place that does get hurricanes from time to time, this is not encouraging.