TIROS-1

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

11:40:09

Friday April 1, 1960

Watch Replay

24/7 Coverage

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Final flight of Thor-Able

TIROS-1

Wiki

TIROS-1 (or TIROS-A) was the first successful low-Earth orbital weather satellite, and the first of a series of Television Infrared Observation Satellites.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit

1 Payload

123 kilograms

Rocket

Retired

Thor DM-18 Able-II

Active 1959 to 1960

Agency

US Air Force

Stages

Launch Site

SLC-17A

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

11 days 12 hours

SLC-17A

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

11 days 12 hours

Stats

Thor-Able

7th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1960

1960

6th

Orbital launch attempt