National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Past Exhibition
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.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed
Manufacturer
RCA Astro Electronics
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.)
Materials
Aluminum, copper, glass
Alternate Name
ITOS Meteorological Satellite
Inventory Number
A19761828000
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.
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