# Nimbus 5

> U.S. meteorological satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16320378](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16320378)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimbus_5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nimbus-5

## Summary
Nimbus 5 was a U.S. meteorological satellite launched on December 11, 1972, as part of NASA's Nimbus program to study Earth's weather and climate. It served as both a weather satellite and a technology demonstration platform, carrying experimental instruments to advance satellite meteorology. The satellite operated until March 29, 1983, when it was retired after over a decade of service.

## Key Facts
- Launched on December 11, 1972, at 07:56:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West
- Weighed 770 kilograms at launch
- Operated by both NASA and NOAA
- Powered by two solar arrays
- Launched aboard a Delta 0100 rocket (serial number 577/D093)
- Retired on March 29, 1983, after 10+ years of service
- Also known as Nimbus E or Nimbus V
- Part of the second-generation Nimbus program of U.S. robotic spacecraft
- Had a polar orbit around Earth

## FAQs
### Q: What was Nimbus 5's primary mission?
A: Nimbus 5 was designed to monitor Earth's weather and climate while also demonstrating new satellite technologies for meteorological research. It carried various experimental instruments to advance weather observation capabilities from space.

### Q: How long did Nimbus 5 operate?
A: Nimbus 5 operated for over 10 years, from its launch on December 11, 1972, until its retirement on March 29, 1983, making it one of the longer-serving meteorological satellites of its era.

### Q: Who operated Nimbus 5?
A: Nimbus 5 was operated jointly by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), combining NASA's space expertise with NOAA's weather monitoring responsibilities.

## Why It Matters
Nimbus 5 represented a significant advancement in Earth observation technology during the early 1970s. As part of NASA's Nimbus program, it helped establish the foundation for modern meteorological satellites that we rely on today for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The satellite's decade-long operational life demonstrated the durability and value of space-based weather observation systems. By carrying experimental technologies alongside operational weather instruments, Nimbus 5 served as a crucial bridge between research and operational meteorology, helping to validate new sensor technologies that would become standard on future weather satellites. Its polar orbit allowed it to provide comprehensive global coverage, including polar regions that are critical for understanding global weather patterns and climate change.

## Notable For
- One of the longest-operating meteorological satellites of its generation (over 10 years)
- Successfully demonstrated multiple experimental technologies while performing operational weather monitoring
- Provided the first comprehensive global observations of Earth's polar regions from space
- Helped establish the dual-use model of weather satellites serving both research and operational forecasting needs
- Built by RCA Corporation, a major aerospace contractor of the era

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Nimbus 5 was a 770-kilogram satellite launched as part of NASA's second-generation Nimbus program. The spacecraft was manufactured by RCA Corporation and featured a sophisticated design for its time, including two solar arrays that provided power for its various systems and instruments.

### Launch and Operations
The satellite launched on December 11, 1972, at 07:56:00 UTC aboard a Delta 0100 rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West in California. It entered a polar orbit, allowing it to provide global coverage including Earth's polar regions. The launch vehicle used was serial number 577/D093.

### Mission Duration and Retirement
Nimbus 5 operated successfully for over a decade, providing valuable meteorological data until its retirement on March 29, 1983. This extended operational life demonstrated the reliability of the satellite's design and the value of long-term space-based weather monitoring.

### Program Context
As part of the Nimbus program, Nimbus 5 represented the fifth satellite in a series of second-generation U.S. robotic spacecraft specifically designed for meteorological research and Earth observation. The program helped establish many of the operational practices and technologies still used in modern weather satellites.

### Classification and Purpose
The satellite served dual purposes as both a weather satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft. This dual classification allowed it to carry both operational weather monitoring instruments and experimental technologies, advancing the field of satellite meteorology while providing practical weather data.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nimbus-5.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/nimbus_5)