Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-built Titan II rocket launched the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Block 5D-3 spacecraft into orbit Oct. 18 at 9:17 a.m. PDT from the Vandenburg Air Force Base in California. DMSP, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will be used for strategically and tactical purposes to predict the weather and to aid the U.S. military in sea battles. The DMSP constellation compromises two spacecraft in near-polar orbits; command, control and communications facilities; user terminals; and weather centers.