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NASA Nimbus-3 Meteorological Spacecraft

NASA’s third Nimbus Earth-observation orbiter, launched in 1969, made the first orbital atmospheric soundings and advanced global weather, temperature, water-vapor, ozone, and radiation observations; it also hosted NASA’s first successful spacecraft radioisotope power system.

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Identity

Aliases
Nimbus-3Nimbus 3Nimbus B-2Nimbus-III
Family Name
Nimbus 3
Full Name
NASA Nimbus-3 Meteorological Spacecraft
Roles
orbiterobservatoryearth_observationresearchweather
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
NASA’s third Nimbus Earth-observation orbiter, launched in 1969, made the first orbital atmospheric soundings and advanced global weather, temperature, water-vapor, ozone, and radiation observations; it also hosted NASA’s first successful spacecraft radioisotope power system.
First Flight Year
1,969

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Creation Time
August 14, 2026 at 06:46:47 UTC
Updated Time
August 14, 2026 at 06:46:47 UTC