ESSA 2 TIROS satellite launched on February 28, 1966.

Launch of ESSA IV

ESSA 3 satellite launched October 2, 1966. Note side mounting of camera as opposed to bottom mount on earlier TIROS satellites.

Composite imagery touting the accomplishments of TIROS V

The World's Weather as seen by ESSA 3 - this image was assembled from 156 individual photographs obtained over the 24 hours of October 15, 1966. Image clarity and ability to mosaic photos has improved markedly over earlier TIROS systems.

Infrared measurements detect boundary of Gulf Stream - the forerunner of today's sea surface temperature mapping derived from infrared sensing data.

Hurricane Betsy as seen from TIROS X - note eye of storm

Hurricane Betsy as photographed from TIROS IX

The beginnings of Hurricane Betsy as photographed from TIROS X. Latitude 13 N, Longitude 52 W.

Hurricane Betsy as photographed from TIROS VIII

Hurricane Betsy as photographed from TIROS VII. TIROS VII was on its 11,965th orbit at this time. It was launched on June 19, 1963. Latitude 29 N, Longitude 75W.

Hurricane Betsy as photographed from TIROS VII. TIROS VII was on its 11,994th orbit at this time. It was launched on June 19, 1963.

Description not available.

Hurricane Beulah as photographed from TIROS VII

Launch of ESSA I, the first satellite actually owned and operated by a forerunner of NOAA. Although the Weather Bureau used and studied the data from TIROS I - X, NASA operated these satellites. ESSA I was the first of the TIROS Operational Satellite (TOS) satellites.

TIROS IV lifting off the pad. Launched by 3-stage Thor Delta rocket #317 the satellite was equipped with two television cameras for photographing cloud cover and with infrared sensors to make measurements of the earth's surface, atmosphere, and cloud tops.

TIROS I launch. Launch vehicle was a Thor Able rocket. TIROS I was a test satellite launched by NASA.

TIROS I images of North Pacific storm system on May 19-20, 1960. TIROS I launch on upper left; TIROS I satellite on upper right; processing images on lower left

TIROS I image of Pacific frontal storm with surface weather map.

ESSA I, a TIROS cartwheel satellite launched on February 3, 1966.

TIROS IX, a cartwheel satellite launched by a Thor-Delta rocket on January 21, 1965.

Delta 37 rocket propelling ESSA II into orbit.

Delta 37 rocket propelling ESSA II into orbit.

First complete view of the World's Weather - photogaphed by TIROS IX. Image assembled from 450 individual photographs.

First complete view of the World's Weather - photogaphed by TIROS IX. Image assembled from 450 individual photographs.

A V-2 missile on carrier being readied for launch - these missiles were used for early upper atmosphere studies.

A V-2 missile being launched - these missiles were used for early upper atmosphere studies.

The Delta 37 rocket ready to launch ESSA II

The Delta 37 rocket ready to launch ESSA II

The Delta 37 rocket ready to launch ESSA II

Launch of ESSA IV

View of tropical cyclone centered near Del Rio, Texas. This picture showed the promise of satellite monitoring of weather. The picture was made from movie cameras mounted in a Navy Aerobee rocket fired from White Sands Proving Ground. Monthly Weather Review, June 1955, p. 121.

Artist's conception of TIROS meteorological satellite system showing field of view of wide-angle and narrow-angle cameras on Earth's surface. Graphic in: "Operational Use of Weather Satellites", U. S. Navy Research Facility, Norfolk, Virginia, March 1960. Drawn prior to launch of TIROS I.

View of tropical cyclone centered near Del Rio, Texas. This picture showed the promise of satellite monitoring of weather. The picture was made from movie cameras mounted in a Navy Aerobee rocket fired from White Sands Proving Ground. "Operational Use of Weather Satellites", U. S. Navy Research Facility, Norfolk, Virginia, March 1960.

Mosaic of 3 photographs taken from a stabilized camera in the nose cone of an Atlas rocket fired from Cape Canaveral. The 3 photos were taken at an altitude of approximately 400 miles. This preceded the launch of TIROS I by 7 months. In :"Operational Use of Weather Satellites", U. S. Navy Research Facility, Norfolk, Virginia, March 1960.

Cloud cover analysis made from mosaic of three photographs taken from a stabilized camera in the nose cone of an Atlas rocket fired from Cape Canaveral. The 3 photos were taken at an altitude of approximately 400 miles. This preceded the launch of TIROS I by 7 months. In: "Operational Use of Weather Satellites", U. S. Navy Research Facility, Norfolk, Va., March 1960.

NOAA satellite GOES-J mounted on an Atlas Centaur rocket ready for launch. Satellite was launched on May 23, 1995 and became GOES-9 when operational.

Meteorological satellite NOAA K being readied for launch.

The U. S. northeast and mid-Atlantic coast as observed by a polar orbiting operational environmental satellite. Coastline configuration, snow-cover, and cloud cover are all evident in this image. The surface structure of the Appalachian Mountains is also evident as snow covers the ridges.

An artist's rendition of the GOES-8 satellite.

The first image obtained from a GOES satellite. These satellites are put in geostationary orbit over 22, 000 miles from Earth and continuously monitor a significant portion of a hemisphere of the Earth.

First GOES-9 full disk image.

Although not a Weather Bureau satellite being launched, the wetlands and seabirds of Cape Canaveral provide a wonderful forefront for observing this launch.

A night launch of meteorological satellite ESSA 9. Pre-launch designated TOS G.

A Mercury launch. The Mercury series were manned orbiting vehicles. Many meteorological and earth resource photographs were taken by Mercury astronauts.

The launch of TIROS I - the birth of the meteorological satellite system

The launch of TIROS II

TIROS 2 satellite sitting atop a Delta launch vehicle during a mock countdown.

Components of the TIROS satellite system