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

This is a 1/2 scale model of Tiros (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) I, the world's first weather satellite, launched in April 1960. The model, built by RCA, the manufacturer of the actual Tiros satellite, uses a color-coded scheme to explain the internal make-up of the spacecraft.

Using a television-camera system, Tiros I imaged large swaths of the Earth's surface, allowing forecasters and scientists to see directly for the first time the large-scale features of our planet's weather systems. Tiros I led to the start of separate, but technically similar civilian and military space-based weather observation programs. The civilian Tiros program is still in operation today and, in conjunction with other weather satellites, has made space-based observations a commonplace part of television weather reports.

This artifact was transferred to the Museum from the National Aeronautics and Space 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
Country of Origin United States of America Type MODELS-Uncrewed Spacecraft & Parts Manufacturer RCA Astro Electronics
 Dimensions Overall (not including stand and antennas): 1ft 4in. x 1ft 9 1/4in. (40.64 x 53.98cm)
 Materials Plastic, aluminum
 Inventory Number A19710104000 Credit Line Transferred from National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.