Weather System Follow-on

The Weather System Follow-on program, managed by the United States Space Force's Space Systems Command, is designed to enhance meteorological data collection and improve weather forecasting capabilities for military operations. This initiative includes two primary projects: Space Situational Awareness Environmental Monitoring (SSAEM) and Weather System Follow-on - Microwave (WSF-M).

The SSAEM project supports the international COSMIC-2 mission by providing 18 space/terrestrial weather sensors in collaboration with NOAA and Taiwan's National Space Organization. These sensors address specific weather capability gaps, such as ionospheric density and equatorial scintillation, to enhance forecast accuracy and support navigation and communication for warfighters.

The WSF-M project focuses on developing a Low-Earth Orbit microwave imaging system to deliver critical weather data, including ocean surface wind speed, ice thickness, and soil moisture. This data is essential for global mission planning and operations. The project includes the development of two space vehicles equipped with advanced sensors like the Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer (COWVR) and Energetic Charged Particle (ECP) sensors. These technologies aim to address specific weather gaps identified in the Space-Based Environmental Monitoring Analysis of Alternatives, such as ocean surface vector winds and tropical cyclone intensity.

The SSAEM project involves a technology demonstration to support COSMIC-2, with sensors launched on six satellites in 2019. These efforts are coordinated with NOAA and TASA to provide additional meteorological data that improves forecast capabilities. The WSF-M project is a Major Defense Acquisition Program that includes the development of two satellites with associated command, control, and data dissemination networks. Data collected is disseminated through the Satellite Control Network to Air Force and Navy weather centers for real-time utilization.

The Weather System Follow-on program aims to provide timely environmental monitoring over oceans and enhance space situational awareness. The integration of advanced sensing technologies like COWVR and ECP on WSF-M satellites supports these objectives by delivering comprehensive weather data crucial for military operations. The program also emphasizes system resiliency and situational awareness in contested space domains through ongoing research, development, testing, and evaluation activities.