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 imagine, 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
TIROS-N/NOAA 14 1994 - Present
TIROS-N/NOAA 15 1998 - Present
Check the individual Satellite pages for specific details.
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: NASA, RCA AstroElectronics, NOAA, US Weather Bureau.
ESE
40th Anniversary * Nimbus-7 *
Objectives: To determine the physical characterization of the global
atmosphere, the oceans, the ocean-atmosphere interface, and the Earth's heat
balance. NIMBUS-7 carried eight highly complex sensors which were all improved
versions of sensors previousl
Size: 4K
ESE
40th Anniversary * SMS-2 *
Objectives: Sense meteorological conditions from a fixed location above
the Earth; provide this data to operational forecasters and private interests on
the ground. The satellite was designed to compliment SMS-1 and cover the Western
U.S. and Pacific bas
Size: 3K
ESE
40th Anniversary * ITOS-B *
Objectives: Double the daily coverage of the ESSA satellites, provide
infrared imagery, cloud top temperature and surface temperature every twelve
hours to APT users. The spacecraft (which would have been NOAA-2) failed to
achieve a usable orbit. Photo:I
Size: 3K
ESE
40th Anniversary * ATS-4 *
Objectives: Evaluate gravity-gradient stabilization and new imaging
techniques for meteorological data retrieval. The satellite's orbit was too low
and the resulting atmospheric drag caused it to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Photo: ATS-4 photographs B
Size: 2K
ESE
40th Anniversary * ATS-3 *
Objectives: Develop the experimental geostationary techniques of
satellite orbit and motion, measure the orbital environment at 23,000 miles
above the Earth's surface, and transmit meteorological information (imagery and
data) to surface ground stations.
Size: 4K
ESE
40th Anniversary * ATS-2 *
Objectives: Test the experimental geostationary techniques of satellite
orbit and motion; measure the orbital environment at 23,000 miles above the
Earth's surface; transmit meteorological information (imagery and data) to
surface ground stations. Descrip
Size: 2K
ESE
40th Anniversary *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. TIROS-9's camera configuration was different
than any previous TIROS craft. TI
Size: 4K
ESE
40th Anniversary * ITOS-E *
Objectives: Provide visible and infrared images of cloud cover, snow and
ice, and the sea surface; gather information on the vertical structure of
temperature and moisture in the atmosphere. The spacecraft (which would have
been NOAA-3) failed to achieve
Size: 3K
ESE
40th Anniversary * TIROS-N *
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. Like earlier TIROS s
Size: 6K
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