Falcon 9 B1067 Targets 36th Flight Record on Starlink 10-42 | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster B1067 set for 36th flight Thursday with Starlink 10-42 mission from Cape Canaveral. Long March 10B debuts Friday in China.
TIROS-4 (00226)
COSPAR: 1962-002A | Alt Name: TIROS-D
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 8, 1962
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC-17A
Launch Vehicle
Thor-Delta
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00226
International Designator
1962-002A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:25:22 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
48.30°
Right Ascension
295.52°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
320.50°
Period
99.50 min
Mean Motion
14.47 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
TIROS-4
Alternative Name
TIROS-D
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Country
United States
Constellation
TIROS
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launched on February 8, 1962; ceased operations on June 30, 1962.
Latest TLEs
1 00226U 62002A 26184.80928800 .00000039 00000-0 56110-4 0 9995
2 00226 48.2968 295.5228 0076256 320.5019 39.0338 14.47191667370853
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The TIROS-4 satellite was a meteorology satellite launched on February 8, 1962, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It had an octahedral shape and measured 1.07 meters in diameter and 0.56 meters in length, weighing 129 kg at launch. The satellite carried two television camera subsystems for cloud cover imaging and three radiometers to measure Earth's radiation.
The TIROS-4 was equipped with solid-fuel thrusters for spin rate control and solar cells charging nickel-cadmium batteries. It was operated by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and ceased operations on June 30, 1962. The satellite was designed and manufactured by RCA Astro Electronics as part of the TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) series.
The TIROS-4 was a significant contribution to meteorological research, providing valuable data on cloud cover and radiation measurements during its operational period. Its mission and performance are notable examples of early space-based observations for weather forecasting and climate studies.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.56
Diameter
1.07
Span
1.07
Dry Mass
129
Launch Mass
129
Shape
18-sided right prism
Radar Cross Section
0.8251
Visual Magnitude
5
Color
Silver (aluminum-clad)
Material Composition
Aluminum alloy and stainless steel
Technical Details
Payload
Meteorological instruments
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
RCA Astro Electronics
Life Expectancy
Operated nominally until June 30, 1962.
Bus
TIROS
Configuration
18-sided right prism
Motor
Solid-fuel thrusters for spin rate control
Equipment
Two independent television camera subsystems for cloud cover imaging; three radiometers (two-channel low-resolution omnidirectional, five-channel scanning, and medium-resolution scanning radiometer) for measuring Earth's radiation.
Power System
Solar cells charging nickel-cadmium batteries
ADCS
Spin-stabilized with magnetic attitude control
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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