# ITOS-B

> weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q55614192](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55614192)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITOS-B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/itos-b

## Summary
ITOS-B was an American weather satellite launched on October 21, 1971. It belonged to the Improved TIROS Operational System (ITOS), a class of meteorological satellites designed to provide continuous environmental data. The satellite was deployed using a Thor-Delta expendable launch system.

## Key Facts
- **COSPAR ID:** 1971-091A
- **Launch Date:** October 21, 1971
- **Entity Type:** Weather satellite
- **Instance of:** Improved TIROS Operational System (ITOS)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Thor-Delta
- **Nationality:** American
- **Wikidata ID:** /g/11g0m4nkkf (Google Knowledge Graph ID)
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in English and Commons categories

## FAQs
### Q: What was ITOS-B?
A: ITOS-B was a weather satellite and part of the Improved TIROS Operational System, a class of American meteorological satellites.

### Q: When was ITOS-B launched?
A: ITOS-B was launched on October 21, 1971.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch ITOS-B?
A: The satellite was launched using a Thor-Delta, an American expendable launch system.

## Why It Matters
ITOS-B represents a specific chapter in the history of American aerospace and meteorology. As a component of the Improved TIROS Operational System (ITOS), this entity signifies the transitional era of space technology where satellite systems moved from experimental phases to operational, standardized weather monitoring. The launch of ITOS-B on October 21, 1971, demonstrates the United States' ongoing commitment during the early 1970s to expand its capabilities in atmospheric observation.

The satellite is notable for its utilization of the Thor-Delta launch system, highlighting the reliance on this specific American expendable rocket technology for placing scientific payloads into orbit. While specific mission outcomes are not detailed in the provided source material, the classification of ITOS-B within the ITOS program underscores its primary role in the collection of meteorological data. This data was essential for improving weather forecasting models and understanding global climate patterns at the time. As a recorded space object with the COSPAR ID 1971-091A, ITOS-B remains a verifiable part of the historical record of orbital launches.

## Notable For
- **Program Classification:** Being a distinct unit within the Improved TIROS Operational System, a key lineage of American weather satellites.
- **Launch Era:** Representing early 1970s space exploration efforts with its launch in late 1971.
- **Technology Integration:** Utilizing the Thor-Delta launch system, a workhorse for American satellite deployment.
- **Global Tracking:** Possession of a distinct COSPAR ID (1971-091A), ensuring its unique identification in global space object catalogs.

## Body

### Mission Classification
ITOS-B is classified as a weather satellite. It is an instance of the **Improved TIROS Operational System** (ITOS). This system was a successor to the earlier TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) series, marking an upgrade in the operational capabilities of meteorological satellites managed by the United States.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully launched on **October 21, 1971**. The mission employed the **Thor-Delta** launch vehicle, an American expendable launch system known for its reliability in deploying various satellites during that era. The launch resulted in the assignment of the COSPAR international designator **1971-091A**, which tracks the object in space catalogs.

### Data and Records
According to structured property data:
- **Wikidata Description:** Weather satellite
- **Wikipedia Languages:** Available in English (en) and Commons
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11g0m4nkkf

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report