Also called:
Nimbus B2
Date of launch (location):
April 14, 1969 (WTR)
Launch vehicle:
Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Thor
(Thorad)-Agena D
Weight (kg):
571
Shape:
butterfly (1.42-meter torus ring base
and hexagonal-shaped housing plus two solar paddle
wings)
Dimensions (m):
3.05 tall
3.55 wide
1.52 diameter ring
Power source:
Solar panels plus 8 NiCd batteries
RTG (SNAP-19)
Responsible NASA center:
GE Company
Project manager:
Harry Press
Project scientist:
William Nordberg
Objectives:
Acquire global samples of infrared
spectra from which vertical temperature profiles of the
atmosphere may be derived; global mapping of radiative
energy balance of Earth atmosphere and cloud cover over one
seasonal cycle; demonstrate feasibility of surface pressure
and wind measurements with IRLS; global mapping of Earth and
its cloud cover (day and night) over a three-month period.
Flight test a System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP-19),
a 50-watt radioactive thermal generator, developed by the
Atomic Energy Commission. (Repeat of Nimbus B launch
attempt, which failed because of a launch vehicle
malfunction in May 1968.)
Equipment:
Medium Infrared (MRIR)
High Resolution Infrared Radiometer
(HRIR)
Advanced TV Image Dissector Camera
System (IDCS)
Satellite Infrared Spectrometer
(SIRS)
Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer
(IRIS)
Monitor of Ultraviolet Solar Energy
(MUSE)
Interrogation, Recording, and
Location System (IRLS)
Results:
Successful; provided daily
atmospheric temperature readings up to 30 480 meters;
although designed for only 12 months it was operational
until March 1972. Launched with SECOR Army satellite.
Reference: NASA, "Nimbus 3 Mission Operations Report," S-604-69-04, Apr. 5, 1969.