Weather Satellites: TIROS VII

TIROS VII - Television Infrared Observation Satellite VII

Launch date: June 19, 1963

Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida

Launch vehicle: Three-stage Delta

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:

Continued research and development of the meteorological satellite information system. To obtain improved data for operational use in weather forecasting during hurricane season. The craft was also designed to make infrared measurements of reflected solar and terrestrial radiation over selected spectrum ranges and gather data on electron density and temperature in space.

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 by 9000 solar cells. The solar cells served to charge the 63 nickel-cadmium batteries.

This craft contained two wide angle camera systems, a magnetic tape recorder, infrared experiments including a five-channel medium resolution scanning radiometer and low resolution metallic resistance thermometers. The electron temperature and density probes were the same as the ones placed on Explorer XVII. The spacecraft operating system still included the infrared horizon scanner, the north direction indicator, despin weights and spinup rockets, and the magnetic attitude control system. TIROS VII furnished over 30,000 cloud photographs and lasted the longest of the TIROS series thus far, remaining operational for 1809 days before being deactivated by NASA on June 3, 1968.

PARTICIPANTS:

NASA, RCA, US Weather Bureau, University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan.