Satellite History

United States launched Explorer-1

Jan 31, 1958

The United States successfully launched its first satellite, Explorer-1.

First weather satellite launched

Feb 17, 1959

The first weather satellite, Vanguard 2, was launched but it was unable to collect the useful cloud cover and resistance measurements due to a poor axis of rotation.

First successful weather satellite launched

Apr 1, 1960

The first successful weather satellite to be launched was called TIROS-1 and was launched by NASA. It operated for 78 days and was much more successful than the Vanguard 2.

First geostationary satellite launched

Dec 6, 1966

ATS-I, the first geostationary satellite, was launched. The cargo aboard was Suomi’s Spin Scan Cloudcover Camera (SSCC).

ATS-III launched and first color images

Nov 5, 1967

ATS-III launched and sent the first color images from the Multicolor Spin Scan Cloudcover Camera (MSSCC).

Launch of GOES-1 satellite

Oct 16, 1975

GOES-1 satellite was launched.

GOES-2 satellite was launched

Jun 16, 1977

GOES-2 launched aboard Delta Launch Vehicle 131.

GOES-3 launched

Jun 15, 1978

GOES-3 satellite was launched

GOES-4 launched

Sep 9, 1980

GOES-4 was launched and it was the first geostationary satellite to provide continuous vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature and moisture.

GOES-12 launched

Jul 23, 2001

GOES-12 was launched and is first GOES to operate a SXI-type instrument.