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Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool
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Satellite Programme: Nimbus
Programme details
Programme description
Series of 7 satellites for concepts/instruments demonstration and scientific experiments, mostly intended to pave the way for operational meteorological satellite programmes, namely TOS/ESSA and NOAA polar orbiters.
USA programme: NASA responsible of development and operations.
The satellites are actively stabilised over 3 axes.
The design lifetime is 2 years.
Orbits are sunsynchronous, around 12:00.
Replacement policy not explicitly pursued, but satellites were launched at roughly 2-year intervals.
See detailed description at
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/SpacecraftQuery.jsp
Data circulation
Global data stored onboard and downlinked to the CDA (Command and Data Acquisition station) at Fairbanks and processed at NASA/GSFC.
Real-time image broadcasting performed by Nimbus-1 to Nimbus-4 through the Automatic Picture Transmission system; and for selected instruments by Nimbus-5 and Nimbus-6 through the beacon.
Agencies
NASA
Programme lifetime
1964 - 1994
Associated satellites and instruments
Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned
Nimbus
Nimbus-1
(1964-1964)
APT
AVCS
HRIR
Nimbus-2
(1966-1969)
APT
AVCS
HRIR
MRIR
Nimbus-3
(1969-1972)
HRIR
IDCS
IRIS-B
IRLS
MRIR
MUSE
SIRS-A
Nimbus-4
(1970-1980)
BUV
FWS
IDCS
IRIS-D
IRLS
MUSE
SCR
SIRS-B
THIR
Nimbus-5
(1972-1983)
ESMR
ITPR
NEMS
SCMR
SCR
THIR
Nimbus-6
(1975-1983)
ERB
ESMR
HIRS
LRIR
PMR
SCAMS
THIR
TWERLE
Nimbus-7
(1978-1994)
CZCS
ERB
LIMS
SAM-II
SAMS
SBUV
SMMR
THIR
TOMS