# TIROS-2

> former American weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q9353718](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9353718)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIROS-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tiros-2

## Summary
TIROS-2 was a former American weather satellite, the second in the Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) series. Launched on November 23, 1960, it was designed to monitor weather and climate, operating under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Environmental Science Services Administration. The satellite had a mass of 127 kilograms and was powered by a spacecraft solar array and nickel-cadmium batteries.

## Key Facts
*   TIROS-2 was an American weather satellite, part of the Television Infrared Observation Satellite series.
*   It was launched on November 23, 1960, at 11:13:03 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
*   The satellite had a mass of 127 kilograms, a height of 56 centimeters, and a diameter of 107 centimeters.
*   It was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Environmental Science Services Administration.
*   TIROS-2 was powered by a spacecraft solar array, utilizing solar cells, and nickel-cadmium batteries.
*   Its launch vehicle was a Thor-Delta rocket (Thor 245/D-003).
*   On November 23, 1960, its initial orbit had an apoapsis of 742 kilometers, a periapsis of 609 kilometers, an orbital period of 98.28 minutes, and an inclination of 48.570 degrees.
*   A significant event in its operational life was a radiometer breakdown on January 22, 1962.
*   TIROS-2's orbital decay occurred on May 18, 2014, approximately at 04:50 UTC.
*   It was manufactured by RCA Corporation.

## FAQs
### Q: What was TIROS-2?
A: TIROS-2 was a former American weather satellite. It was the second satellite in the Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) series, designed to monitor weather and climate.

### Q: When was TIROS-2 launched?
A: TIROS-2 was launched on November 23, 1960, at 11:13:03 UTC. Its launch site was Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.

### Q: Who operated TIROS-2?
A: TIROS-2 was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA).

### Q: What was the purpose of TIROS-2?
A: As a weather satellite, TIROS-2's purpose was to monitor weather and climate. It was part of a series of satellites dedicated to this mission.

### Q: What happened to TIROS-2?
A: TIROS-2 experienced a radiometer breakdown on January 22, 1962. Its orbital decay, meaning it re-entered Earth's atmosphere, occurred on May 18, 2014.

## Why It Matters
TIROS-2 holds significance as an early American weather satellite, playing a role in the nascent stages of space-based weather and climate monitoring. As the second satellite in the Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) series, it contributed to the development and refinement of technology for observing Earth's atmospheric conditions from orbit. Its operation by both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) highlights its importance to governmental scientific and meteorological efforts. The data and experience gained from missions like TIROS-2 were crucial for advancing the understanding of weather patterns and improving forecasting capabilities, laying foundational groundwork for subsequent generations of weather satellites. Its physical characteristics and operational lifespan, including a notable radiometer breakdown, provided valuable insights into the challenges and reliability of early spacecraft design and instrumentation.

## Notable For
*   Being the second satellite in the pioneering Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) series, which advanced space-based weather monitoring.
*   Its specific launch by a Thor-Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A in 1960.
*   Its dual operation by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA).
*   Its power system, which included both a spacecraft solar array with solar cells and nickel-cadmium batteries.
*   Experiencing a documented radiometer breakdown on January 22, 1962, during its operational period.

## Body

### Overview and Identification
TIROS-2 was a former American weather satellite. It is identified by the aliases TIROS-B and A-2, with a COSPAR ID of 1960-016A and an NSSDCA ID of 1960-016A. Its Harvard designation is 1960 Pi 1. TIROS-2 is classified as a weather satellite and is considered an out-of-service, former entity. It was part of the Television Infrared Observation Satellite series.

### Physical Characteristics
*   **Mass**: 127 kilograms
*   **Height**: 56 centimeters
*   **Diameter**: 107 centimeters
*   **Manufacturer**: RCA Corporation
*   **Country of Origin**: United States
*   **Power Source**:
    *   Spacecraft solar array (with solar cells)
    *   Nickel–cadmium battery

### Mission Details
*   **Launch Date**: November 23, 1960, at 11:13:03 UTC
*   **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A
*   **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Delta (specifically Thor 245/D-003)
*   **Operators**:
    *   National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    *   Environmental Science Services Administration
*   **Orbital Parameters (as of November 23, 1960)**:
    *   **Apoapsis**: 742 kilometers
    *   **Periapsis**: 609 kilometers
    *   **Orbital Period**: 98.28 minutes
    *   **Orbital Inclination**: 48.570 degrees
    *   **Orbital Eccentricity**: 0.00942
*   **Parent Astronomical Body**: Earth

### Relationships
*   **Class**: Weather satellite
*   **Launch System Class**: Thor-Delta
*   **Part of**: Television Infrared Observation Satellite series
*   **Preceded by**: TIROS-1
*   **Succeeded by**: TIROS-3

### Significant Events
*   **Rocket Launch**: November 23, 1960, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
*   **Breakdown**: Radiometer breakdown on January 22, 1962.
*   **Atmospheric Entry/Orbital Decay**: May 18, 2014, approximately at 04:50 UTC.

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## References

1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1960-016A)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tiros.htm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.space-track.org/#decay)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1960-016A)