Tiros N

TIROS N
Tiros-N
Credit: NASA
American earth weather satellite. 6 launches, 1978.10.13

(Tiros N) to 2002.06.24 (NOAA 17). Tiros N was part of
the ongoing US series of polar-orbiting weather satellites.
These were preceded by the TIROS series and the ITOS
(Improved TIROS) series.
These satellites made measurements of atmospheric

temperature and humidity, surface temperature, cloud
cover, water-ice-moisture boundaries, and space proton
and electron fluxes. They could receive, process, and
retransmit data from free-floating balloons, buoys, and
remote automatic stations around the globe.
These satellites were managed by NOAA (National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and NASA was
responsible for developing and launching the spacecraft.
The NOAA spacecraft used a letter designator (NOAA G)
before launch, and received a numeric designator after
reaching orbit. TIROS-N through NOAA-D were called the
TIROS-N series. NOAA-E through NOAA-N were called the
TIROS ATN series (Advanced TIROS N). NOAA-D was
launched out of sequence and later became NOAA 12.
The spacecraft were 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointing with

control to 0.1 deg using reaction wheels. The TIROS-N
series incorporated significant design heritage from
DMSP. A hydrazine propulsion system was used for orbit
maintenance. A single solar panel generated over 1 kW
(EOL). NiCd batteries provided power during eclipse. The
structure was an elongated 5-sided box constructed of
aluminum and titanium. S-Band communications were
used with NOAA/NESDIS ground stations located in
Redwood City, CA; Wallops, VA; and Fairbanks, AK.
Payloads included:
UL>
 AVCS (Advanced Vidicon Camera System)

 APT (Automatic Picture Transmission system)
 FPR (Flat Plate Radiometer)
 SPM (Solar Proton Monitor)
 VTPR (Vertical Temperature Profile Radiometer)
 VHRR (Very High Resolution Radiometer)
 AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer)
 ASS (Atmospheric Sounding System)
 SEM (Space Environment Monitor)
 TOVS (TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder)
 TIP (TIROS Information Processor)
 MIR (Manipulated Information Rate processor)
 CSU (Cross-Strap Unit).
Gross mass: 1,416 kg (3,121 lb).

Height: 3.70 m (12.10 ft).
First date: 1978-10-13.
Last date: 2002-06-24.
Number: 6 .
Associated Launch Sites

• Vandenberg Vandenberg Air Force Base
is located on the Central Coast of
California about 240 km northwest of Los
Angeles. It is used for launches of
unmanned government and commercial
satellites into polar orbit and
intercontinental ballistic missile test
launches toward the Kwajalein
Atoll. More...
• Vandenberg SLC3W Delta, Atlas launch
complex. First designated LC1-1 and used
to launch Atlas Agena B with Samos
payloads. After Samos cancellation, rebuilt
in 1963 to support launch of KH-4 Corona
spysats atop Thor-Agena. Refurbished in
1973 to accomodate surplus Atlas ICBM's
in space launch role. More...
• Vandenberg SLC4W Titan, Atlas launch
complex. First designated PALC2-3 and
used to launch Atlas Agena D with KH-7
spysats. Rebuilt in 1966 to handle Titan
3B with various military payloads. From
1988 used to launch refurbished surplus
Titan 2 ICBM's in space launch
role. More...
Associated Programs
• Tiros TIROS spacecraft were the
beginning of a long series of polar-orbiting
meteorological satellites. TIROS was
followed by the TOS (TIROS Operational
System) series, and then the ITOS
(Improved TIROS) series, and later the
NOAA series. TIROS spacecraft were
developed by GSFC and managed by ESSA
(Environmental Science Services
Administration). The objective was to
establish a global weather satellite
system. More...
Associated Manufacturers and Agencies
• NASA American agency overseeing development of rockets
and spacecraft. National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, USA, USA.
• NOAA American agency overseeing development of

spacecraft. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, USA.
• Martin American manufacturer of rockets, spacecraft, and

rocket engines. Martin Marietta Astronautics Group (1956),
Denver, CO, USA.
• RCA American manufacturer of spacecraft. RCA, USA.
• Astro Space American manufacturer of spacecraft. Astro

Space, USA.
Associated Launch Vehicles
• Atlas The Atlas rocket, originally developed as America's

first ICBM, was the basis for most early American space
exploration and was that country's most successful medium-
lift commercial launch vehicle. It launched America's first
astronaut into orbit; the first generations of spy satellites;
the first lunar orbiters and landers; the first probes to
Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn; and was
America's most successful commercial launcher of
communications satellites. Its innovative stage-and-a-half
and 'balloon tank' design provided the best dry-mass
fraction of any launch vehicle ever built. It was retired in
2004 after 576 launches in a 47-year career. More...
• Titan American orbital launch vehicle. The Titan launch

vehicle family was developed by the United States Air Force
to meet its medium lift requirements in the 1960's. The
designs finally put into production were derived from the
Titan II ICBM. Titan outlived the competing NASA Saturn I
launch vehicle and the Space Shuttle for military launches. It
was finally replaced by the USAF's EELV boosters, the Atlas
V and Delta IV. Although conceived as a low-cost, quick-
reaction system, Titan was not successful as a commercial
launch vehicle. Air Force requirements growth over the years
drove its costs up - the Ariane using similar technology
provided lower-cost access to space.More...
• Atlas E American intercontinental ballistic missile. Initial

fully operational version of Atlas ICBM. Differed in guidance
system from Atlas F. Deployed as missiles from 1960 to
1966. After retirement, the ICBM's were refurbished and
used over twenty years as space launch vehicles. More...
• Atlas F American intercontinental ballistic missile. Final

operational version of Atlas ICBM. Differed in guidance
systems. Deployed as missiles from 1961 to 1966. After
retirement, the ICBM's were refurbished and used for over
thirty years as space launch vehicles. More...
• Titan 2 American intercontinental ballistic missile. ICBM,

developed also as the launch vehicle for the manned Gemini
spacecraft in the early 1960's. When the ICBM's were retired
in the 1980's they were refurbished and a new series of
launches began. More...
• Titan 2G American intercontinental ballistic orbital launch

vehicle. Space launch version, obtained through minimal
refurbishment of decommissioned ICBM's. More...
• Atlas The Atlas rocket, originally developed as America's

first ICBM, was the basis for most early American space
exploration and was that country's most successful medium-
lift commercial launch vehicle. It launched America's first
astronaut into orbit; the first generations of spy satellites;
the first lunar orbiters and landers; the first probes to
Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn; and was
America's most successful commercial launcher of
communications satellites. Its innovative stage-and-a-half
and 'balloon tank' design provided the best dry-mass
fraction of any launch vehicle ever built. It was retired in
2004 after 576 launches in a 47-year career. More...
• Earth weathersat
• Earth
• Sun synchronous orbit
• Titan The Titan launch vehicle family was developed by the

United States Air Force to meet its medium lift requirements
in the 1960's. The designs finally put into production were
derived from the Titan II ICBM. Titan outlived the competing
NASA Saturn I launch vehicle and the Space Shuttle for
military launches. It was finally replaced by the USAF's EELV
boosters, the Atlas V and Delta IV. Although conceived as a
low-cost, quick-reaction system, Titan was not successful as
a commercial launch vehicle. Air Force requirements growth
over the years drove its costs up - the Ariane using similar
technology provided lower-cost access to space. More...
Associated Countries
• USA
Tiros N Chronology
1978 October 13 - . 11:23 GMT - .
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg
SLC3W. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas F. LV
Configuration: Atlas F 29F / Star-37S-ISS.
Tiros N - . Mass: 734 kg (1,618 lb).

Nation: USA. Agency: NASA
Greenbelt. Program: Tiros. Class: Earth. Type: Weather
satellite. Spacecraft: Tiros N. USAF Sat Cat:
11060 . COSPAR: 1978-096A. Apogee: 845 km (525
mi). Perigee: 829 km (515 mi). Inclination: 98.7000
deg. Period: 101.70 min. Summary: Spacecraft engaged
in practical applications and uses of space technology
such as weather or communication (US Cat C)..
1979 June 27 - . 15:51 GMT - . Launch

Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg
SLC3W. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle:Atlas F. LV
• NOAA 6 - . Payload: NOAA A. Mass: 723 kg (1,593

lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NOAA. Program: Tiros. Cla
ss: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Tiros
N. USAF Sat Cat: 11416 . COSPAR: 1979-
057A. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Perigee: 785 km
(487 mi). Inclination: 98.6000 deg. Period: 100.70
min. Summary: Spacecraft engaged in practical
applications and uses of space technology such as
weather or communication (US Cat C)..
1980 May 29 - . 10:53 GMT - . Launch

Configuration: Atlas F 19F / Star-37S-ISS. FAILURE:
Atlas sustainer engine under-thrust resulted in 50 second
extended burn time, and spacecraft attempted to
separate and fired apogee kick motor while booster was
still thrusting..Failed Stage: P.
• NOAA B - . Payload: NOAA B. Mass: 1,405 kg

(3,097
N. Decay Date: 1981-05-03. USAF Sat Cat:
11819 . COSPAR: 1980-043A. Apogee: 1,445 km
(897 mi). Perigee: 264 km (164 mi). Inclination:
92.2000 deg. Period: 102.10 min. Unusable orbit;
would have been NOAA 7. At engine start up, one of
the booster engines suffered an internal fuel leak,
causing it to run at about 80% thrust. As a result the
booster was low on velocity and heavy on propellant
over much of its flight and ran an incredible 50
seconds longer than the nominal burn. The NOAA
Advanced TIROS payload was designed with no
direct communication with the booster, and unaware
of the booster problem, at 375 sec after liftoff
attempted to separate with the booster still firing.
The booster's continued thrusting defeated the
payload's attempt to perform the required pitch
maneuver. When the payload fired its apogee kick
motor, it blew the top of the booster's liquid oxygen
tank off. The spacecraft survived all this, but the
resultant orbit was highly elliptical rather than the
desired circular sun-synchronous. The mission was a
total loss. Officially: Spacecraft engaged in practical
weather or communication (US Cat C).>
1981 June 23 - . 10:52 GMT - . Launch
• NOAA 7 - . Payload: NOAA C. Mass: 1,405 kg

(3,097
min. Summary: Spacecraft engaged in practical
weather or communication (US Cat C)..
1991 May 14 - . 15:52 GMT - . Launch

SLC3W. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle:Atlas E. LV
Configuration: Atlas E 50E / Star-37S-ISS.
• NOAA 12 - . Payload: NOAA D. Mass: 1,416 kg

(3,121
min. Summary: Spacecraft engaged in research and
exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space
(US Cat B). .
2002 June 24 - . 18:23 GMT - . Launch

SLC4W. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle:Titan 2G. LV
Configuration: Titan II SLV 23G-14 / M68B-72 + M68B-
92 + M68B-71.
• NOAA 17 - . Payload: NOAA-M. Mass: 1,475 kg

(3,251
lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NOAA. Manufacturer: Lock
heed. Program:Tiros. Class: Earth. Type: Weather
satellite. Spacecraft: Tiros N. USAF Sat Cat:
27453 . COSPAR: 2002-032A. Apogee: 822 km (510
mi). Perigee: 807 km (501 mi). Inclination: 98.8000
deg. Launch delayed from August 2001. The
refurbished Titan 2 missile put the NOAA M satellite
on a suborbital trajectory of about -2500 x 820 km x
98 deg. at 1829 UTC. At 1837 UTC the NOAA M
propulsion module fired its ATK/Thiokol Star 37XFP
solid motor for the orbit insertion burn, followed by a
hydrazine trim burn to put the satellite in an 807 x
822 km x 98.8 deg operational orbit. NOAA M
became NOAA 17 on entering service with the US
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as
the primary morning weather satellite,
supplementing the NOAA 16 afternoon satellite. Built
by Lockheed Martin, NOAA M carried weather
imagers and microwave and infrared sounders, as
well as a SARSAT search-and-rescue package. It had
an on-orbit mass of 1475 kg.
Television Infrared Observation Satellite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1960 graphic of TIROS meteorological satellite
system showing components.
First TV image of Earth from space

TIROS, or Television Infrared Observation
Satellite, is a series of early weather satellites launched
by NASA, beginning with TIROS-1 in1960. The program was
extremely successful in proving the usefulness of satellite weather
observation and in its time, perhaps considered to be too
successful; causing people to question the need for many of the
military spy apparatus that were in development or use at the
time. TIROS demonstrated at that time that "the key to genius is
often simplicity." [1]
The 270 lb satellite was launched into orbit by a Thor Able rocket.
Drum shaped with a 42 inch diameter, and height of 19 inches,
the TIROS satellite carried two 6 inch long television cameras
with it as it entered its nearly circular low earth orbit. One of the
cameras had a wide-angle lens with an f/1.6 (focal length) that
could view 800 miles of the earth. The other camera had
a telephoto lens with an f/1.8 and had a 10 to 12 power telephoto
effect over the wide angle camera.
The satellite itself was stabilized in its orbit by spinning like
a gyroscope. When it first separated from the rockets third stage,
it was spinning at about 136 revolutions per minute (rpm). To
take unblurred photographs, a de-spin mechanism slowed the
satellite down to 12 rpm after the orbit was accomplished.
The camera shutters made possible the series of still pictures
which were stored and transmitted back to earth via 2-
watt FMtransmitters as the satellite approached one of its ground
command points. After transmission, the tape was erased or
cleaned and readied for more recording.
TIROS continued as the ESSA TIROS Operational System, and
was eventually succeeded by the NOAA ITOS (Improved TIROS
Operational System), or TIROS-M, and then by the TIROS-N and
Advanced TIROS-N series of satellites. The naming of the
satellite becomes a little confusing because the satellites share
the same name as the over-seeing organization, such
as ESSA& ESSA 1 and NOAA & NOAA M.
Participants in this satellite project included the United
States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United
States Army Signal Research and Development Lab, Radio
Corporation of America, the United States Weather Bureau, and
the United States Naval Photographic Interpretation Center [2].
 TIROS-1 (A)- launched April 1, 1960, suffered electrical
system failure on June 15 1960
 TIROS-2 (B)- launched November 23, 1960, failed January
22, 1961
 TIROS-3 (C)- launched July 12 1961, deactivated February
28, 1962
 TIROS-4 (D)- launched February 8 1962, failed on June 30
1962 (both cameras failed earlier)
 TIROS-5 (E)- launched June 19 1962, failed on May 13,
1963
 TIROS-6 (F)- launched September 18 1962, failed October
21 1963
 TIROS-7 (G)- launched June 19 1963, deactivated June 3,
1968
 TIROS-8 (H)- launched December 21 1963, deactivated July
1, 1967
 TIROS-9 (I)- launched January 1, 1965, failed February 15
1967. First Tiros satellite in near-polar orbit
 TIROS-10 (OT-1)- launched July 2 1965, deactivated July
31, 1966
As of June 2009, all TIROS satellites lauched between 1960 and

1965 (with the exception of TIROS-7) are still in orbit.[1]
TIROS Operational System
 ESSA-1 (OT-3)
 ESSA-2 (OT-2)
 ESSA-3 (TOS-A)
 ESSA-4 (TOS-B)
 ESSA-5 (TOS-C)
 ESSA-6 (TOS-D)
 ESSA-7 (TOS-E)
 ESSA-8 (TOS-F)
 ESSA-9 (TOS-G)
ITOS/TIROS-M
 TIROS-M (ITOS-1) January 23, 1970 launch

 NOAA-1 (ITOS-A) December 11, 1970 launch
 ITOS-B October 21, 1971 launch; unusable orbit
 ITOS-C
 NOAA-2 (ITOS-D) October 15, 1972 launch
 ITOS-E July 16, 1973 launch, failed to orbit
 NOAA-3 (ITOS-F) November 6, 1973 launch
 NOAA-4 (ITOS-G) November 15, 1974 launch
 NOAA-5 (ITOS-H) July 29, 1976 launch
TIROS-N
 TIROS-N October 13, 1978 launch

 NOAA-6 (A)
 NOAA-B
 NOAA-7 (C)
Advanced TIROS-N
 NOAA-8 (E)
 NOAA-9 (F)
 NOAA-10 (G)
 NOAA-11 (H)
 NOAA-12 (D)
 NOAA-13 (I)
 NOAA-14 (J)
 NOAA-15 (K)
 NOAA-16 (L)
 NOAA-17 (M)
 NOAA-18 (N)
 NOAA-19 (N Prime)
TIROS
Television Infrared Observation
Satellite Program
Phase: Past
Launch Date: April 01, 1960
Mission Project Home
Page:http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/QuickLoo
ks/ti...
The Television Infrared Observation Satellite
Program (TIROS)
The TIROS Program (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) was
NASA's first experimental step to determine if satellites could be useful in
the study of the Earth. At that time, the effectiveness of satellite
observations was still unproven. Since satellites were a new technology,
the TIROS Program also tested various design issues for spacecraft:
instruments, data and operational parameters. The goal was to improve
satellite applications for Earth-bound decisions, such as "should we
evacuate the coast because of the hurricane?".
The TIROS Program's first priority was the development of a

meteorological satellite information system. Weather forecasting was
deemed the most promising application of space-based observations.
TIROS proved extremely successful, providing the first accurate weather

forecasts based on data gathered from space. TIROS began continuous
coverage of the Earth's weather in 1962, and was used by meteorologists
worldwide. The program's success with many instrument types and orbital
configurations lead to the development of more sophisticated
meteorological observation satellites.
TIROS-1
Objectives: To test experimental television techniques designed to develop
a worldwide meteorological satellite information system. To test Sun angle
and horizon sensor systems for spacecraft orientation.
Description: The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and

weighed 270 pounds. The craft was made of aluminum alloy and stainless
steel which was then covered by 9200 solar cells. The solar cells served to
charge the on-board batteries. Three pairs of solid-propellant spin rockets
were mounted on the base plate.
Two television cameras were housed in the craft, one low-resolution and
one high-resolution. A magnetic tape recorder for each camera was
supplied for storing photographs while the satellite was out of range of the
ground station network.
The antennas consisted of four rods from the base plate to serve as
transmitters and one vertical rod from the center of the top plate to serve as
a receiver.
The craft was spin-stabilized and space-oriented (not Earth-oriented).

Therefore, the cameras were only operated while they were pointing at the
Earth when that portion of the Earth was in sunlight.
The video systems relayed thousands of pictures containing cloud-cover

views of the Earth. Early photographs provided information concerning the
structure of large-scale cloud regimes.
TIROS-I was operational for only 78 days, but proved that satellites could
be a useful tools for surveying global weather conditions from space.
Participants: NASA, US ARMY Signal Research and Development Lab,

RCA, US Weather Bureau, US Naval Photographic Interpretation Center.
TRIOS-1 Stats:
• Launch Date: April 1, 1960

• Operational Period: 78 days
• Launch Vehicle: Standard Thor-Able
• Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, FL
• Type: Weather Satellite
TIROS-2
Objectives: To test the experimental television techniques and infrared
equipment designed to develop a worldwide meteorological satellite
information system. To evaluate a new attitude control system for
spacecraft orientation which utilizes the Earth's magnetic field.

steel which was then covered by 9260 solar cells. The solar cells served to
charge the nicad batteries. Two television cameras were housed in the
craft, one low-resolution and one high-resolution. A magnetic tape recorder
for each camera was supplied for storing photographs while the satellite
was out of range of the ground station network. In addition, an infrared
horizon sensor for attitude control, a direction indicator for picture
orientation, two infrared radiation experiments, and a magnetic orientation
control experiment were included.
The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and weighed 280
pounds. The craft was made of aluminum alloy and stainless steel which
was then covered by 9260 solar cells. The solar cells served to charge the
nicad batteries. Two television cameras were housed in the craft, one low-
resolution and one high-resolution. A magnetic tape recorder for each
camera was supplied for storing photographs while the satellite was out of
range of the ground station network. In addition, an infrared horizon sensor
for attitude control, a direction indicator for picture orientation, two infrared
radiation experiments, and a magnetic orientation control experiment were
included.
The antennas consisted of four rods from the base plate to serve as
transmitters and one vertical rod from the center of the top plate to serve as
a receiver. The video systems relayed thousands of pictures containing
cloud-cover views of the Earth. Early photographs provided information
concerning the structure of large-scale cloud regimes. In addition, the
experiment to partially control the orientation of the satellite spin axis was
successful, as was the experiment with infrared sensors.
Participants: NASA, US ARMY Signal Research and Development Lab,

RCA, US Weather Bureau, US Naval Photographic Interpretation Center.
TIROS-2 Stats:
• Launch Date: November, 23, 1960

• Launch Vehicle: Three-stage Delta
TIROS-3
Objectives: Continued development of the experimental television

techniques and infrared equipment leading to a worldwide meteorological
information system. To obtain infrared measurements of the solar energy
absorbed, reflected and emitted by the Earth.

steel then covered by 9260 solar cells. The solar cells served to charge the
nickel-cadmium batteries. Three major changes were made from the
previous TIROS models. Two wide-angle television cameras were housed
in the craft in place of one high-resolution and one low-resolution camera.
A new infrared experiment and improved remote control programmers were

also new additions. This craft contained an electronic clock to control the
operations of the infrared horizon sensor as well as the magnetic
orientation system. A magnetic tape recorder was still provided for each
camera to store photographs while the satellite was out of range of the
ground station network. One scanning and two non-scanning radiometers
were also on board.
The antennas were of the same configuration as both previous TIROS

models. Although one of the cameras failed 12 days into the mission,
photograph quality from the other camera was excellent and many tropical
storms during the 1961 hurricane season were photographed. TIROS-3
was also credited with the discovery of Hurricane Esther.
Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau, Barnes Engineering.

TIROS-3 Stats:
• Launch Date: July 12, 1961

TIROS-4
Objectives: Continued research into and development of the meteorological
satellite information system. This mission was designed to maintain an
operational TIROS in orbit for an extended period of time and to obtain
improved data for operational use in weather forecasting during the
northern hemisphere hurricane season.

steel and was then covered by 9260 solar cells. The solar cells served to
charge the 63 on-board batteries.
A new lens system was implemented for this launch. The lens was
designed to reduce distortion and improve resolution. This craft also
contained an electronic clock to control the operations of the infrared
horizon sensor as well as the magnetic orientation control system. A
magnetic tape recorder was still provided for each camera to store
photographs while the satellite was out of range of the ground station
network. One scanning and two non-scanning radiometers were also on
board. The transmitting and receiving antennas were of the same
configuration as the previous TIROS models.
TIROS-4 pictures were the best to date, allowing the US Weather Bureau
to initiate an international facsimile transmission network in order to share
the cloud pictures with weather services around the world.
Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau, Barnes Engineering

TIROS-4 Stats:
• Launch Date: February 8, 1962

TIROS-5
Objectives: Continued research into and development of the meteorological
satellite information system. This mission was designed to maintain an
operational TIROS in orbit for an extended period of time and to obtain
improved data for operational use in weather forecasting during the
northern hemisphere hurricane season.

steel and was then covered by 9260 solar cells. The solar cells served to
charge the 63 on-board batteries.
This craft contained all of the instrumentation of TIROS-4 as well as a north

direction indicator, and despin weights and spinup rockets in an attempt to
improve the craft's longevity. TIROS-5 was also launched at a higher
inclination (58 degrees vs. 48 degrees on all previous flights) to provide
better observations at higher latitudes. The orbitwas elliptical instead of
circular due to a Delta ground guidance failure. In addition the three
radiation sensors had to be disconnected prior to launch when they failed
preflight checks.
TIROS-5 pictures were the best to date, including the observation ofice
break-up at northern latitudes
Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau
TIROS-5 Stats:
• Launch Date: June 19, 1962

TIROS-6
Objectives: Continue research and development of the meteorological
satellite information system; prove TIROS could stay in orbit for an
extended period of time; obtain improved data for use in weather
forecasting during hurricane season; provide operational support for the
Mercury-Atlas 8 launch on October 3, 1962.

nickel-cadmium (nicad) batteries. Three pairs of solid-propellant spin
rockets were mounted on the base plate.
The craft contained the same instrumentation as TIROS-5. TIROS-6's

launch date was moved up 2 months in order to work with TIROS-5 in
helping form an accurate forecast during hurricane season.
In addition, TIROS-6 conducted the first satellite experiments to detect

snow cover from space. TIROS-6 lasted the longest of the TIROS series
thus far, being operational for all of its 389 days.
TIROS-6
• Launch Date: September 18, 1962

TIROS-7
Objectives: Continue research and development of the meteorological
satellite information system; obtain improved data for use in weather
forecasting, especially during hurricane season.

TIROS-7 was also designed to make infrared measurements of reflected

solar and terrestrial radiation over selected spectrum ranges and gather
data on electron density and temperature in space. To accomplish this new
expanded mission, TIROS-7 carried two wide-angle camera systems, a
magnetic tape recorder, and infrared experimentation equipment. The
electron density and temperature probes were the same as the ones flown
on board Explorer 17.
The spacecraft operating system still included the infrared horizon scanner,
the north direction indicator, despin weights and spinup rockets, and the
magnetic attitude control system. TIROS-7 was deactivated after furnishing
over 30,000 cloud photographs; it lasted the longest of the TIROS series
thus far, 1809 days.
Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau, University of Wisconsin,

University of Michigan.
TIROS-7
• Launch Date: June 19, 1963

• Operational Period: 1809 days before being deactivated by NASA on
June 3, 1968
• Launch Vehicle: Three-Stage Delta
TIROS-8
Objectives: Continued research and development of the meteorological
satellite information system; flight test the Automatic Picture Transmission
(APT) camera system and ground stations.

This craft contained two wide-angle camera systems, one with the standard
TIROS wide-angle lens and one with an APT lens designed to photograph
an area 800 miles on a side (the largest field of view to date). APT pictures
were transmitted using a slow-scan principle (four lines per second), a
principle similar to the transmission of radio photographs. Each APT
ground station was designed to receive three pictures per orbit. Because of
the APT flight test objective of this mission, and the fact that TIROS-7 was
still operational, no radiometers were flown aboard TIROS-8.
TIROS-8's APT system exceeded its 90-day expected lifetime and was a
great success. Forty-seven ground stations around the world were able to
ingest satellite images, forming the first body of wide-angle imagery ever
assembled. True space-based study of the Earth had begun.
Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau, Fairchild Stratos.
TIROS-8 Stats:
• Launch Date: December 23, 1963

• Operational Period: 1287 days before being deactivated by NASA
on July 1, 1967
• Launch Vehicle: Three-Stage Delta
TIROS-9
Objectives: Test the "cartwheel" configuration; perform a polar orbit in
preparation for the Weather Bureau's completely operational TOS (TIROS
Operational Satellites) system.

rockets were mounted on the base plate. This was the heaviest satellite
launched at this time.
TIROS-9's camera configuration was different than any previous TIROS

craft. The two cameras were mounted 180 degrees opposite each other
along the side of the craft, rather than in the base plate parallel to the
rotation axis. Thus, a camera could be pointed at some point on Earth
every time the satellite rotated along its axis. The craft was placed in its
planned, Sun-synchronous 82-degree retrograde orbit, but a Delta
malfunction caused a wide, eliptical orbit instead of a circular one.
The satellite spin axis was rotated using the magnetic attitude control
system into an alignment perpendicular to the orbital plane, and tangent to,
the Earth's surface. Thus the "cartwheel" configuration was achieved. This
configuration proved successful and was eventually adopted for the ESSA
operational series of civilian weather satellites.
First complete view of the world's weather
The first photomosaic of the entire world's cloud-cover was achieved via a
composite of 450 photos taken on February 13, 1965. TIROS-9 was
operational for 1,238 days until deactivated by NASA.
TIROS-9 Stats:
• Launch Date: January 22, 1965

on June 12, 1968
TIROS-10
Objectives: Further the testing of the TIROS system in preparation of the
weather Bureau's completely operational TOS (TIROS Operational
Satellite) system, and to privde maximum satellite coverage during the
1965 hurricane season.

rockets were mounted on the base plate. This was the heaviest satellite
launched at this time.
The configuration of the TIROS-10 was similar to that of TIROS-8, with the
cameras mounted on the base plate. The craft was placed in its planned
Sun-synchronous retrograde orbit, drifting westward about 1 degree per
day (the same rate and direction as the Earth moves around the Sun),
which provided maximum lighting for photography and battery charging.
TIROS-10 was the last of the experimental TIROS series and provided
more than 400 images daily, each of a 640,000-square mile area with 2-
mile resolution at the center.
TIROS-10 Stats:
• Launch Date: July 2, 1965

along with TIROS-8 on July 1, 1967
• TIROS-N/NOAA Program -- 1978-1986
The TIROS-N/NOAA Program (Television InfraRed
Operational Satellite - Next-generation) was NASA's next
step in improving the operational capability of the TIROS
system first tried in the 1960's and the ITOS/NOAA system
of the 1970's. Technological improvements integrated into
the satellite system provided higher resolution imaging, and
more day and night quantitative environmental data on local
and global scales than seen with the two earlier generations
of TIROS. Like earlier TIROS systems, NASA took
responsibility for the satellite only until proven operational.
Once operational the satellite's name was changed to
'NOAA' with day to day use under the direction of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The TIROS-N/NOAA satellite series carried the Advanced

Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The AVHRR
provided day and night cloud-top and sea surface
temperatures, as well as ice and snow conditions. The
satellite also carried an atmospheric sounding system
(TOVS - TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder) which
provided vertical profiles of temperature and water vapor
from the Earth's surface to the top of the atmosphere; and a
solar proton monitor to detect the arrival of energetic
particles for use in solar storm prediction. For the first time,
this satellite carried a data collection platform used to
receive, process and store information from free floating
balloons and buoys worldwide for transmission to one
central processing facility.
The TIROS-N/NOAA satellite series continue to provide daily

observations of the world's weather.
•
TIROS-N/NOAA Program Satellites:
* TIROS-N 1978 - 1981

* TIROS-N/NOAA 6 1978 - 1981
* TIROS-N/NOAA B 1980 Failed
* TIROS-N/NOAA 7 1981 - 1986
* TIROS-N/NOAA 8 1983 - 1985
* TIROS-N/NOAA 9 1984 - 1993, 1997 - 1998
* TIROS-N/NOAA 10 1986 - 1991
* TIROS-N/NOAA 11 1988 - 1994, 1997 - Present
* TIROS-N/NOAA 12 1991 - Present
* TIROS-N/NOAA 13 1993 Failed
Check the individual Satellite pages for specific details. [+

more]
Objectives: To provide higher resolution, day and night

quantitative environmental data on local and global scales
with technologically superior instrumentation than that which
was available on the earlier ITOS/NOAA satellites.
Description: The spacecraft was rectangularly shaped (146"

long by 74" high) with one large solar panel attached. The
satellite was Earth oriented, three-axis stabilized and
weighed 1594 pounds.
TIROS-N was an experimental satellite which carried an

Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) to
provide day and night cloud top and sea surface
temperatures, as well as ice and snow conditions; an
atmospheric sounding system (TOVS - TIROS Operational
Vertical Sounder) to provide vertical profiles of temperature
and water vapor from the Earth's surface to the top of the
atmosphere; and a solar proton monitor to detect the arrival
of energetic particles for use in solar storm prediction. For
the first time, this satellite also carried a data collection
platform used to receive, process and store information from
free floating balloons and buoys worldwide for transmission
to one central processing facility.
TIROS-N was placed in a near circular, (470nm) polar orbit.
The craft and its systems operated successfully, providing
high-resolution scanned images and vertical temperature
and moisture profiles to both operational meteorologists and
private interests with APT and HRPT capability.
Participants: NNASA, RCA AstroElectronics, NOAA, US

Weather Bureau
TIROS-N Stats:
• Launch Date: October 13, 1978

• Operational Period: Operational for 868 days until
deactivated by NOAA on February 27, 1981
• Launch Vehicle: Atlas E/F
• Launch Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA

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TIROS N

American earth weather satellite. 6 launches, 1978.10.13

These satellites made measurements of atmospheric

These satellites were managed by NOAA (National

The spacecraft were 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointing with

 AVCS (Advanced Vidicon Camera System)

Gross mass: 1,416 kg (3,121 lb).

Associated Launch Sites

• NOAA American agency overseeing development of

• Martin American manufacturer of rockets, spacecraft, and

• RCA American manufacturer of spacecraft. RCA, USA.

• Astro Space American manufacturer of spacecraft. Astro

Associated Launch Vehicles

• Atlas The Atlas rocket, originally developed as America's

• Titan American orbital launch vehicle. The Titan launch

• Atlas E American intercontinental ballistic missile. Initial

• Atlas F American intercontinental ballistic missile. Final

• Titan 2 American intercontinental ballistic missile. ICBM,

• Titan 2G American intercontinental ballistic orbital launch

• Atlas The Atlas rocket, originally developed as America's

• Sun synchronous orbit

• Titan The Titan launch vehicle family was developed by the

Tiros N - . Mass: 734 kg (1,618 lb).

1979 June 27 - . 15:51 GMT - . Launch

• NOAA 6 - . Payload: NOAA A. Mass: 723 kg (1,593

1980 May 29 - . 10:53 GMT - . Launch

• NOAA B - . Payload: NOAA B. Mass: 1,405 kg

• NOAA 7 - . Payload: NOAA C. Mass: 1,405 kg

1991 May 14 - . 15:52 GMT - . Launch

• NOAA 12 - . Payload: NOAA D. Mass: 1,416 kg

2002 June 24 - . 18:23 GMT - . Launch

• NOAA 17 - . Payload: NOAA-M. Mass: 1,475 kg

Television Infrared Observation Satellite

First TV image of Earth from space

As of June 2009, all TIROS satellites lauched between 1960 and

TIROS Operational System

 TIROS-M (ITOS-1) January 23, 1970 launch

 TIROS-N October 13, 1978 launch

The TIROS Program's first priority was the development of a

TIROS proved extremely successful, providing the first accurate weather

Description: The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and

The craft was spin-stabilized and space-oriented (not Earth-oriented).

The video systems relayed thousands of pictures containing cloud-cover

Participants: NASA, US ARMY Signal Research and Development Lab,

• Launch Date: April 1, 1960

Description: The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and

Participants: NASA, US ARMY Signal Research and Development Lab,

• Launch Date: November, 23, 1960

Objectives: Continued development of the experimental television

Description: The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and

A new infrared experiment and improved remote control programmers were

The antennas were of the same configuration as both previous TIROS

Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau, Barnes Engineering.

• Launch Date: July 12, 1961

Description: The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and

Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau, Barnes Engineering

• Launch Date: February 8, 1962

Description: The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 22 inches high and

This craft contained all of the instrumentation of TIROS-4 as well as a north

Participants: NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau

• Launch Date: June 19, 1962

Description: The spacecraft was 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and

The craft contained the same instrumentation as TIROS-5. TIROS-6's