Nimbus 5
Nimbus 5, launched on December 11, 1972, tested infrared and microwave techniques for global meteorological and Earth-surface measurements. Its Electrically Scanning Microwave Radiometer mapped microwave emission from the surface and atmosphere, while the Nimbus E Microwave Spectrometer estimated tropospheric temperature, water vapor and cloud liquid water. Infrared instruments supplied complementary temperature and moisture profiles, cloud-top and surface temperatures, and surface thermal-emission characteristics. The research mission helped demonstrate why microwave observations and infrared observations provide different, complementary information about Earth’s atmosphere and surface.
Alerts are unavailable because this mission is no longer active.
Identity
- Aliases
- Nimbus ENimbus-5
- Name
- Nimbus 5
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Nimbus 5, launched on December 11, 1972, tested infrared and microwave techniques for global meteorological and Earth-surface measurements. Its Electrically Scanning Microwave Radiometer mapped microwave emission from the surface and atmosphere, while the Nimbus E Microwave Spectrometer estimated tropospheric temperature, water vapor and cloud liquid water. Infrared instruments supplied complementary temperature and moisture profiles, cloud-top and surface temperatures, and surface thermal-emission characteristics. The research mission helped demonstrate why microwave observations and infrared observations provide different, complementary information about Earth’s atmosphere and surface.
- Destination
- Near-circular, Sun-synchronous polar Earth orbit at approximately 1,089 km perigee and 1,102 km apogee (107-minute period)
- Launch Site
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1972-12-11
- Vehicle Families
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 22:31:40 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:43:04 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles