Nimbus 5

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

07:56:00

Monday December 11, 1972

Mission Details

Nimbus 5

Wiki

Nimbus 5 (also called Nimbus E or Nimbus V) was a meteorological satellite for research and development of sensing technology. It was the fifth successful launch in a series of the Nimbus program. The objective of Nimbus 5 was to test and evaluate advanced sensing technology, and to provide improved photographs of cloud formations. There were 6 science instruments aboard Nimbus 5: 1) Infrared Temperature Profile Radiometer (ITPR) 2) Selective Chopper Radiometer (SCR) 3) Nimbus E Microwave Spectrometer (NEMS) 4) Electrically Scanning Microwave Radiometer (ESMR) 5) Surface Composition Mapping Radiometer (SCMR) 6) Temperature/Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) Details about these instruments are accessible via the Wiki link.

Low Earth Orbit

1 Payload

770 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Delta 900

Active in 1972


Stages

2

Strap-ons

9

Launch Site

SLC-2W

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

13 days 1 hour

Stats

Delta 0100 Series


3rd

Mission

3rd

Mission of 1972

1972


104th

Orbital launch attempt