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(-LTA TI[;33
ORDIT TRACE
31
BOOST TRAJECTORY
ORBIT TRACE
FACT SHEET
TIROS PROGRAM
- TIROS I -
-4- (OVER)
- TIROS I -I
- TIROS III -
Tiros III was launched July 12, 1961 and like the
two previous Tiros launches it was a perfect operation.
The satellite further substantiated the feasibility of
operational weather satellites by again proving the data
could be used on a real-time basis for daily weather
analysis. It marked the first time a weather satellite
was relied upon as the sole source of information for the
basis of a tropical storm analysis. By July 20 Tiros III
was providing operational data on Hurricane Anna and it
subsequently photographed Hurricane Esther two days prior
to detection by conventional methods, which resulted in
additional warning time. Operation utilization of the
satellite data was discontinued in late November, 1961
due to loss of adequate contrast in the pictures.
- TIROS IV -
-5- 2
Another scientific Experiment conducted with Tiros
IV data was Project Bright C'.oud conducted by the Geophysics
Research Directorate of the Air Force Cambridge Research
Laboratory. As a preliminary study leading to a possible
eventual automated cloud identification system, Tiros photos
were examined to determine cloud Identification by shape
and brightness.
TECHNICL H iM-
- General -
The satellite was designed to obtain television
pictures of cloud formations and patterns and reflected
solar and infrared radiation measurements of the atmosphere
over much of the world. In addition it was designed to
transmit the data from these experiments to ground stations
for analysis and operational and research use.
Shape
Dimensions: Cylindrical, resembling a large
hat bcex, 42 inches in diameter,
22 inches high.
Launch: From Atlantic Missile Range, Cape
Canaveral, Florida on a three stage
Thor Delta vehicle.
-6- (OVER)
;I
-7-
When the satellite is within range of the ground station,
the recorder can be bypassed so that pictures can be
directly transmitted. Read outs are therefore referred
to as being either direct or remote.
- Horizon Sensor -
- North Indicator -
- Controls -
-8- (OVER)
Tiros raust1; maintain a spi.n rate of at least 8 1L.
i<
to remain stable i. orbit. When this minimum is approa(I-hi
a pair of small SC.Lid. fuel rockets is fired on radio comrnarin
which increases the speed by approximately 3 R.P-.M. There
are five pairs of 1.-.ese spin-up rockets and each pair ca.r,
be fired only once.
-Ground Stations -
-Launch Vehicle *
The Delta vehicle used to launch this Tiros was
developed for NASA by the Douglas Aircraft Co., and has
the following characteristics:
Height: 90 feet
Max. Diameter: 8 feet
Lift-off Weight: A little less than 112,000 pounds
First Stage (Modified Douglas Thor):
Fuel: Liquid (LOX and Kerosene)
Thrust: About 150,000 pounds
Burning Time; 160 seconds
Second Stage (Aerojet General propulsion system):
Fuel: Liquid
Thrust: About 7,500 pounds
Burning Time: 109 seconds
Third Stage (Allegany Ballistics Laboratory X-248 solid motor):
Fuel: Solid
Thrust: About 3,000 pounds
Burning Time: 40 seconds (After 6 minute coast)
-10- (OVER)
'iltrT Sequence:
*-11-
Officials concerned with the TIROS
include: experiment
-End-
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