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Nimbus 1 (or Nimbus-A) was a meteorological satellite launched by NASA into a Sun-synchronous near-polar orbit on August 28, 1964. It was the first in a series of second-generation meteorological satellites in the Nimbus program. 

Nimbus 1 was designed to provide both daytime and nighttime global coverage of Earth’s surface characteristics and cloud cover. The spacecraft carried three instruments:

  • Advanced Vidicon Camera System (AVCS)
  • Automatic Picture Transmission (APT)
  • High-Resolution Infrared Radiometer (HRIR)

During launch, a problem with the rocket’s second stage resulted in Nimbus 1 being placed in a more eccentric orbit than planned. The spacecraft operated successfully until September 22, 1964, when the solar paddles became locked in position, resulting in inadequate energy to continue operations. 

Data

10 Datasets
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Type

Earth Observation Satellite

Objective

Study Earth's weather and atmosphere

Launch

August 28, 1964

Data Center

GES DISC

Instruments Aboard Nimbus-1

Related Platforms

Nimbus-1

Nimbus-1 was designed to provide both daytime and nighttime global coverage of Earth’s surface characteristics and cloud cover.
Nimbus-2

Nimbus-2 was designed to provide both daytime and nighttime global coverage of Earth's surface characteristics and cloud cover.
Nimbus-3

Nimbus-3 was designed to provide both daytime and nighttime global coverage of Earth’s surface characteristics and cloud cover.
Nimbus-4

Nimbus-4 was designed to serve as a platform for the testing of advanced meteorological sensors and the collection of meteorological data.
Nimbus-5

Nimbus-5 was designed to serve as a platform for the testing of advanced meteorological sensors and the collection of meteorological and surface data.
Nimbus-6

Nimbus-6 was designed to serve as a platform for the testing of advanced meteorological sensors and the collection of meteorological and surface data.
Nimbus-7

Nimbus-7 collected data on pollution and oceanographic and meteorological disciplines.

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