Weather Satellites: TIROS X

TIROS X - Television Infrared Observation Satellite X

Launch date: July 2, 1965

Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida

Launch vehicle: Three-stage Delta

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:

To further test the TIROS system in preparation for the Weather Bureau's completely operational TOS (TIROS Operational Satellites) system, and to provide maximum satellite coverage during the 1965 hurricane season.

SPACECRAFT DESCRIPTION:

The spacecraft was an 18-sided polygon, 42 inches in diameter, 19 inches high and weighed 270 pounds. The craft was made of aluminum alloy and stainless steel then covered with 9200 solar cells. The solar cells served to charge the 63 nickel-cadmium batteries.

The configuration of the TIROS X was similar to that of TIROS I-VIII with the cameras mounted on the base plate. The spacecraft operating system was also the same as the TIROS I-VIII series. The craft was placed in its planned sun-synchronous 98 degree 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 X was the last of the experimental TIROS series and provided more than 400 images daily, each of a 640,000 square mile area with two mile resolution at the center. TIROS X remained operational for 730 days until deactivated by NASA along with TIROS XIII on July 1, 1967.

PARTICIPANTS:

NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau.