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Nimbus 1
Status:
Completed
Mission Category:
Historical Missions
Launch Date: August 28, 1964
Launch Location: Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA
Nimbus 1, the first in a series of second-generation meteorological research-and-development satellites, was designed to serve as a stabilized, earth-oriented platform for the testing of advanced meteorological sensor systems and for collecting meteorological data. The polar-orbiting spacecraft consisted of three major elements: (1) a sensory ring, (2) solar paddles, and (3) the control system housing. The solar paddles and the control system housing were connected to the sensory ring by a truss structure, giving the satellite the appearance of an ocean buoy.
Key Nimbus 1 Facts
| Mission/Portal Page: | http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=1964-052A |
|---|---|
| Instruments: |
APT (Automatic Picture Transmission Camera)
AVCS (Advanced Vidicon Camera System) HRIR (High-Resolution Infrared Radiometer) |
| Project Scientist(s): |
William P. Nordberg |
Relevant Science Focus Areas:
- Weather
Relevant Science Questions:
- How is the global Earth system changing?
Science Goals:
- The project objectives were to provide improved photographs of local cloud conditions by an automatic picture transmission (APT) system, and to evaluate an advanced vidicon camera system (AVCS) for daylight coverage and a high-resolution infrared radiometer (HRIR) system for night-time cloud-cover observation.
Related Applications:
- Weather Prediction