Nimbus 2

USA

Launch data:

Designation	02173 / 66040A
Launch date	15 May 1966 - 07:55:34 UT
Launch site	Va, 75-1-1
Launch vehicle	Thor-SLV2A Agena-B (#456/TA6)
Mission	Meteorology
Earth orbit on:
Perigee/Apogee	1090/1174 km
Inclination	100.6°
Period	108 min
Mass at launch	414 kg

The project objectives were to provide global weather photography on a 24-hour basis for meteorological research and operational use, and provide infrared data for study of earth's heat balance.

Four sensor systems weighing a total of 142 pounds were carried. The advanced vidicon camera system (AVCS) included three 1-inch cameras with 800-line resolution designed to photograph a 800,000 square mile area. A high resolution infrared radiometer provided time and was expected to yield a variety of geophysical and atmospheric data including cloud height information.

Ref: #7, #15, #102 - update: 11.12.05