# TIROS-3

> former American weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12912933](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12912933)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIROS-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tiros-3

## Summary  
TIROS‑3 was the third satellite in the United States’ Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) series, launched on 12 July 1961 to test and demonstrate weather‑monitoring capabilities from orbit. Operated by NASA and the Environmental Science Services Administration, it carried radiometers and a solar‑array power system before being retired in February 1962.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date & time:** 12 July 1961, 10:25:06 UTC【launch_date】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Thor‑Delta (Thor 286/D‑005) from Cape Canaveral SLC‑17A【launch_vehicle】【start_point】  
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA)【operator】  
- **Manufacturer:** RCA Corporation【manufacturer】  
- **Mass:** 129.3 kg【mass】  
- **Dimensions:** Diameter 107 cm; Height 56 cm【diameter】【height】  
- **Power source:** Solar array equipped with solar cells【powered_by】  
- **COSPAR ID / Harvard designation:** 1961‑017A / 1961 Rho 1【cospar_id】【harvard_designation】  
- **Mission duration:** Operational from launch until 28 Feb 1962; radiometer failure recorded on 23 Jan 1962【significant_event】  
- **Series placement:** Followed TIROS‑2 and preceded TIROS‑4; part of the TIROS weather‑satellite program【follows】【followed_by】【part_of】

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of TIROS‑3?  
A: TIROS‑3 was an experimental weather satellite designed to test television and infrared imaging techniques for observing Earth’s atmosphere and to validate satellite‑based meteorological data collection.

### Q: How long did TIROS‑3 operate in space?  
A: The satellite remained in service for about eight months, from its launch on 12 July 1961 until its official retirement on 28 February 1962, after a radiometer malfunction on 23 January 1962.

### Q: Which organization built and launched TIROS‑3?  
A: TIROS‑3 was manufactured by RCA Corporation, launched on a Thor‑Delta rocket, and operated jointly by NASA and the Environmental Science Services Administration.

### Q: What were the main technical specifications of TIROS‑3?  
A: It weighed 129.3 kg, measured 107 cm in diameter and 56 cm in height, and was powered by a solar array with solar cells.

### Q: How does TIROS‑3 relate to other TIROS satellites?  
A: TIROS‑3 succeeded TIROS‑2 and was followed by TIROS‑4, forming the early third generation of the TIROS series that pioneered satellite meteorology.

## Why It Matters  
TIROS‑3 represents a pivotal step in the evolution of satellite meteorology. As the third satellite in the pioneering TIROS program, it helped validate the feasibility of continuous, space‑based weather observation—a capability that transformed forecasting accuracy and disaster preparedness worldwide. By employing a solar‑array power system, TIROS‑3 demonstrated a sustainable energy source for longer‑duration missions, influencing the design of subsequent weather and Earth‑observation satellites. Although its operational life was brief, the data gathered and the engineering lessons learned contributed directly to the rapid advancement of remote sensing technologies that underpin modern climate science, aviation safety, and agricultural planning. Understanding TIROS‑3’s role underscores how early experimental platforms laid the groundwork for today’s global weather‑monitoring networks.

## Notable For  
- **Early weather‑satellite experiment:** One of the first three TIROS satellites to test television imaging from orbit.  
- **Solar‑array power:** Utilized a spacecraft solar array with solar cells, an early adoption of renewable power for satellites.  
- **Rapid mission turnover:** Demonstrated both successful data acquisition and the challenges of early sensor reliability (radiometer failure in Jan 1962).  
- **Series continuity:** Served as the bridge between TIROS‑2 and TIROS‑4, maintaining momentum in the United States’ nascent meteorological satellite program.  
- **Dual‑agency operation:** Managed jointly by NASA and the ESSA, illustrating early inter‑agency collaboration in space‑based Earth observation.

## Body  

### Overview  
TIROS‑3 (Television Infrared Observation Satellite‑3) was part of the United States’ first series of weather satellites. Its primary mission was to capture cloud‑cover images and infrared data to improve weather forecasting.

### Development and Manufacture  
- **Manufacturer:** RCA Corporation, a leading electronics firm of the era.  
- **Designations:** Also known as TIROS‑C and A‑3; Harvard designation 1961 Rho 1.  

### Launch and Mission Profile  
- **Launch vehicle:** Thor‑Delta (Thor 286/D‑005).  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.  
- **Date & time:** 12 July 1961, 10:25:06 UTC.  
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1961‑017A; SCN 00162.  

### Technical Specifications  
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Mass | 129.3 kg |
| Diameter | 107 cm |
| Height | 56 cm |
| Power | Solar array with solar cells |
| Instruments | Radiometers for infrared observation |
| Operator | NASA & ESSA |

### Operational History  
- **Initial operations:** Began shortly after launch, transmitting cloud‑image data to ground stations.  
- **Radiometer breakdown:** Occurred on 23 January 1962, reducing scientific output.  
- **Retirement:** Officially decommissioned on 28 February 1962 after eight months of service.  

### Legacy and Impact  
TIROS‑3’s short‑lived mission provided valuable insights into satellite‑based meteorology, sensor durability, and power management. The experience fed directly into the design of later TIROS satellites and the broader evolution of Earth‑observation platforms that now support global weather models and climate monitoring.

## Schema Markup  
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "TIROS-3",
  "description": "Former American weather satellite launched on 12 July 1961 as part of the TIROS series.",
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## References

1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1961-017A)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tiros.htm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report