On April 13, 1969, NASA launched a new weather satellite called Nimbus 3.
This was the third in a series of second-generation research and development satellites NASA launched to test new technologies for weather forecasting. Nimbus 3 had an infrared spectrometer that allowed it to record temperatures throughout the atmosphere. It could also detect electromagnetic radiation in a whole spectrum of wavelengths, which helps scientists determine the structure of the atmosphere. The satellite also had cameras that provided real-time images of cloud coverage. Nimbus 3 launched on a Thor-Agena rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Station in California and entered a polar orbit. Two months later, one of its instruments failed. After more of them broke down, NASA terminated the mission in 1972.
This was the third in a series of second-generation research and development satellites NASA launched to test new technologies for weather forecasting. Nimbus 3 had an infrared spectrometer that allowed it to record temperatures throughout the atmosphere. It could also detect electromagnetic radiation in a whole spectrum of wavelengths, which helps scientists determine the structure of the atmosphere. The satellite also had cameras that provided real-time images of cloud coverage. Nimbus 3 launched on a Thor-Agena rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Station in California and entered a polar orbit. Two months later, one of its instruments failed. After more of them broke down, NASA terminated the mission in 1972.
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TechTranscript
00:00On this day in space.
00:04On April 13th, 1969, NASA launched a new weather satellite called Nimbus-3.
00:09This was the third in a series of second-generation research and development satellites NASA launched to test technologies for weather forecasting.
00:16Nimbus-3 had an infrared spectrometer that allowed it to record temperatures throughout the atmosphere.
00:21It could also detect electromagnetic radiation in a whole spectrum of wavelengths, which helped scientists determine the structure of the atmosphere.
00:27Along with a whole suite of experiments, the satellite also had cameras that provided real-time images of cloud coverage.
00:33Nimbus-3 launched on a Thor Agena rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Station in California and entered a polar orbit.
00:39Two months later, one of its instruments failed. After more of them broke down, NASA terminated the mission in 1972.
00:46And that's what happened on this day in space.