TIROS-2 (or TIROS-B) was a spin-stabilized meteorological satellite. It was the second in a series of Television Infrared Observation Satellites. It re-entered in May 2014.[5]

Spacecraft

TIROS-2 was an 18-sided right prism, 107 cm in diameter and 56 cm high,[2] with 9,260[1] 1 by 2 cm silicon solar cells covered the top and sides. Five small directly opposed pairs of solid-fuel thrusters maintained a spin of 8 to 12 rpm.[2] For attitude control, the spacecraft used an infrared horizon sensor[1] and an magnetic attitude control device, made of 250 cores of wire wound around the outer surface, which oriented the spin axis to a 1 to 2 degree accuracy.[2] It also had a direction indicator for picture orientation.[1]

The satellite had two independent television camera subsystems, one low-resolution and one high-resolution, for taking pictures of cloud cover. Each camera had a magnetic tape recorder for storing photographs while out of range of the ground station network.[1] It also had a five-channel medium-resolution scanning radiometer and a two channel non-scanning low resolution radiometer for measuring radiation from the earth and atmosphere.[2]

Launch

TIROS-2 was launched on November 23, 1960 at 11:13:03 UTC, by a Thor-Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The spacecraft functioned nominally until January 22, 1962. The satellite orbited the Earth once every 98 minutes, at an inclination of 48.5°. Its perigee was 609 kilometers (329 nmi) and apogee was 742 kilometers (401 nmi).

The spacecraft functioned nominally until January 22, 1961.

Instruments

TIROS 2 added two infrared radiometers to TIROS 1 instruments, which allowed more analysis of frontal zones.[6]

Gallery

  • Graphic of TIROS-2 orbital path and examples of data products.
    Graphic of TIROS-2 orbital path and examples of data products.
  • TIROS-2 satellite atop of a Delta rocket during a mock countdown on Pad 17A
    TIROS-2 satellite atop of a Delta rocket during a mock countdown on Pad 17A
  • TIROS-2 satellite atop of launch vehicle, under hangar roof
    TIROS-2 satellite atop of launch vehicle, under hangar roof
  • Launch of TIROS-2 on November 23, 1960
    Launch of TIROS-2 on November 23, 1960
  • Universal Newsreel about the launching of the TIROS-2 satellite
  • Ice floes as seen in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence by TIROS-2 on March 1961
    Ice floes as seen in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence by TIROS-2 on March 1961
  • Map of TIROS II infrared imagery with accompanying cloud analysis
    Map of TIROS II infrared imagery with accompanying cloud analysis

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "TIROS". science.nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "TIROS 2". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "TIROS 2 Satellite details 1960-016A NORAD 63". N2YO. December 8, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  5. ^ "TIROS 2". Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  6. ^ Hawkins, R. S. (October 1, 1964). "Analysis and Interpretation of TIROS II Infrared Radiation Measurements". Journal of Applied Meteorology. 3 (5): 564–572. Bibcode:1964JApMe...3..564H. doi:10.1175/1520-0450(1964)003<0564:aaioti>2.0.co;2. hdl:2027/mdp.39015095125376. ISSN 0021-8952.