Nimbus 2
Nimbus 2, launched on May 15, 1966, expanded NASA’s meteorological instrument demonstrations with visible cloud cameras and high- and medium-resolution infrared radiometers. The stabilized polar-orbiting observatory measured radiation emitted and reflected by Earth and its atmosphere. Its main tape recorder failed in July 1966 and the backup infrared recorder failed in November, reducing stored-data capability. Some real-time observations continued until January 17, 1969, when deterioration of the Earth-reference horizon scanner ended the mission. The useful lifetime therefore differed between instruments and transmission modes.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Nimbus CNimbus-2
- Name
- Nimbus 2
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Nimbus 2, launched on May 15, 1966, expanded NASA’s meteorological instrument demonstrations with visible cloud cameras and high- and medium-resolution infrared radiometers. The stabilized polar-orbiting observatory measured radiation emitted and reflected by Earth and its atmosphere. Its main tape recorder failed in July 1966 and the backup infrared recorder failed in November, reducing stored-data capability. Some real-time observations continued until January 17, 1969, when deterioration of the Earth-reference horizon scanner ended the mission. The useful lifetime therefore differed between instruments and transmission modes.
- Destination
- Near-circular, Sun-synchronous polar Earth orbit at approximately 1,094 km perigee and 1,178 km apogee (100.3° inclination; 108.1-minute period)
- End Date
- 1969-01-17
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1966-05-15
- Vehicle Families
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- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 22:23:51 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:43:02 UTC
Other
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- Space Stations
- -
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