U.S. Air Force weather satellite explodes in orbit last month

A U.S. military weather satellite apparently exploded in 43 pieces while in orbit on Feb. 3, the U.S. Air Force has confirmed.

Photo: USAF

The satellite, Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 13, has been operational for twenty years.

There are now six such satellites left to provide weather information to the U.S. military.

The twentieth satellite, in storage, will soon be lifted into orbit. The decision to launch it into space was made prior to this accident.