This vidicon (or television) tube was the type used in the first generation of Tiros weather satellites, launched from 1960 to 1968. These satellites provided the first large-scale views of the dynamic behavior of the Earth's atmosphere. Vidicon technology had an important advantage: It captured these views and then converted them into telvision signals which could be beamed from orbit to ground stations.
Each satellite possessed two vidicon tubes, one for wide-angle views of the planet, one for narrow angle views. Over nine Tiros missions, tubes of this type took more than 750,000 images.
Mr. Abe Schapf donated this artifact to the Museum in 1975.
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
RCA Astro Electronics
Dimensions
Approximate: 6.99 x 10.16 x 3.81cm (2 3/4in. x 4in. x 1 1/2in.)
Materials
Lucite, glass, copper
Inventory Number
A19761830000
Credit Line
Gift of Abe Schapf
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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