Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

The TIROS Operational Satellites (TOS) were developed after the ten experimental spacecraft from the TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) series proved the feasibility of space-based weather observation. In operation from 1966 to 1976, the TOS series of satellites provided continuous observation of global weather conditions and generated over one million images from the nine spacecraft launched during the program.

TOS used two satellite types. One carried the APT (Automatic Picture Transmission) camera system that allowed real-time transmission of images to small ground stations. The other carried the AVCS (Advanced Vidicon Camera System) that could store images and then send them to Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations.

The Museum's artifact is a flight qualified spare of an APT version of the TOS spacecraft and was transferred to the Museum from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 1965.

 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
Date 1966-1976 Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed Manufacturer RCA Astro Electronics
 Dimensions Overall: 23 in. tall x 41 in. wide (58.4 x 104.1cm)
Other (Satellite Bus): 41 in. diameter (104.1cm)
 Materials Aluminum
Magnesium
HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating
Mixed Metals
Electronics
Solar Panels
 Inventory Number A19751344000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.