Object Details
- Manufacturer
- RCA Astro Electronics
- Summary
- The Improved TIROS Operational Satellite (ITOS) inaugurated the second generation of a space-based system to provide continuous, day-to-day observations of the Earth's weather systems. ITOS launched a total of six satellites from 1970 through 1976, continuing the mission of the TIROS and the TIROS Operational Satellite programs.
- ITOS flew in a polar, sun-synchronous orbit and used improved stabilization techniques that allowed the spacecraft always to point its cameras and other sensors at the Earth. The satellite carried Automatic Picture Transmission cameras to provide instant weather data to ground stations around the world; Advanced Vidicon Camera Subsystems for detailed observations; and scanning radiometers for imaging the earth at night.
- ITOS 1 had an operational life of 510 days, taking more than 100,000 images of the Earth. This artifact is a prototype of ITOS-1; NASA transferred it to the Museum in 1976.
- Alternate Name
- ITOS Meteorological Satellite
- Credit Line
- Transferred from NASA
- Inventory Number
- A19761828000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed
- Materials
- Aluminum, copper, glass
- Dimensions
- Overall: 121.9 × 101.6cm, 308.9kg, 101.6cm (4 ft. × 3 ft. 4 in., 681lb., 3 ft. 4 in.)
- Overall: 487.7 × 121.9 × 299.7cm (16 ft. × 4 ft. × 9 ft. 10 in.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19761828000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv93a073829-3385-4be6-8b5f-78d2b756d099
