Nimbus 1

USA

Launch data:

Designation	00872 / 64052A
Launch date	28 Aug 1964 - 07:57 UT
Launch site	Va, 75-1-1
Launch vehicle	Thor-SLV2 Agena-B (#399/TA3)
Mission	Meteorology
Earth orbit on:
Perigee/Apogee	429/937 km
Inclination	98.7°
Period	98.4 min
Mass at launch	376 kg

A circular orbit was intended but a partial failure of Agena (early shutdown) caused an elliptical orbit instead.

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 for daylight coverage and a high-resolution infrared radiometer system for night-time cloud cover observation.

First high resolution photos (27000 photos taken) Five hurricanes and two typhoons were spotted in photographing 70 percent of the world each day. The APT system supplied daytime photos to more than 60 low-cost ground stations. Radiometer photos were remarkably clear and covered a 12,500 square mile area.

End of life

Out of service	23 Sep 1964
Cause	solar panel drive failed
Decay	16 May 1974

Ref: #1, #7, #15 - update: 10.03.07