Also called:
Earth Resources Technology Satellite
(ERTS 1)
Date of launch (location):
July 23, 1972 (WTR)
Launch vehicle:
Thor-Delta 0900
Weight (kg):
941
Shape:
Butterfly
Dimensions (m):
3.0 height
3.4 width with solar panels
extended
Power source:
Solar panels plus 8 NiCd
batteries
Responsible NASA center:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Prime contractor:
General Electric Co.
Project manager:
W. E. Scull
Project scientist:
W. Nordberg
Objectives:
Acquisition of synoptic, multispatial
images for three months from which useful data can be
obtained for investigations in such disciplines as
agriculture and forestry, resources management, land use,
marine research, mapping, and charting.
Instrumentation:
Multispectral Scanner (4-band
scanning radiometer)
Return Beam Vidicon Camera System
(3-camera high-resolution TV sensor)
Data Collection System
Wide-band Tape Recorders (2)
Results:
Successful; NASA terminated
operations in early 1978.
Reference: NASA Hq., "ERTS-A Press Kit," July 20, 1972.