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This is a flight spare of a power and data cable for a Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU), an instrument flown on Tiros meteorological satellites beginning with Tiros-N in 1978.
The MSU's purpose was to measure the temperature profile of the Earth's atmosphere from the planet's surface to a height of 20 km. MSU, manufactured at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other instruments on the Tiros series of satellites are part of on-going program to gather a range of data on the characteristics of and changes to the Earth's atmosphere over a period of years. MSU data on atmospheric temperatures has contributed to scientific discussions of whether the Earth is experiencing a warming trend.
The last MSU flown in space, launched on the NOAA-14 satellite (part of the Tiros program) in 1994, is still gathering data as of 2007.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration transferred this artifact to the Museum in 2004.
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-Instruments & Payloads
Manufacturer
NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory Dimensions
9 7/16" x 5 1/2" x 1 3/16" Materials
Plastic
Copper
Paint
Anodized Aluminum Inventory Number
A20040176002
Credit Line
Transferred from National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.