Tiros N Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The Tiros N bus accounts for 6 cataloged objects, of which 5 are in orbit and 0 are active. 1 have reentered. Most are built by RCA. The largest operator on this bus is NOAA. The first launched in 1978, the most recent in 1999.

5
In orbit
0
Active
6
Total launched
1
Reentered

Tiros N launched per year

1 1978: 1 object launched 1979: 1 object launched 1980: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1981: 1 object launched 1982: 0 objects launched 1983: 0 objects launched 1984: 0 objects launched 1985: 0 objects launched 1986: 0 objects launched 1987: 0 objects launched 1988: 0 objects launched 1989: 0 objects launched 1990: 0 objects launched 1991: 1 object launched 1992: 0 objects launched 1993: 0 objects launched 1994: 0 objects launched 1995: 0 objects launched 1996: 0 objects launched 1997: 0 objects launched 1998: 0 objects launched 1999: 1 object launched 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged Tiros N satellites.

Manufacturer RCA
Purpose Meteorology
Launch mass 685 kg
Dry mass 685 kg
Length 3.7 m
Diameter 1.9 m
Span 4.9 m
Shape Box + Pan
Power Deployable solar array, batteries
Propulsion Star 37S
Design life 2 years minimum
Equipment AVHRR/1, TOVS (HIRS/2, SSU, MSU), SEM, DCPLS
Typical orbit 101 min period, 99° inclination

Top operators

Top countries

US 6

Tiros N satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
LANDSAT 7 Landsat 7 25682 1999-020A USGS Apr 15, 1999 98 min, 97.9° Inactive
NOAA 12 NOAA 12 21263 1991-032A NOAA May 14, 1991 101 min, 98.6° Inactive
NOAA 7 NOAA 7 12553 1981-059A NOAA Jun 23, 1981 102 min, 98.8° Inactive
NOAA B NOAA B 11819 1980-043A NOAA May 29, 1980 88 min, 92.1° Reentered
NOAA 6 NOAA 6 11416 1979-057A NOAA Jun 27, 1979 100 min, 98.6° Inactive
TIROS N Tiros-N 11060 1978-096A GSFC Oct 13, 1978 101 min, 98.5° Inactive

Frequently asked questions

How many Tiros N satellites are there?

The catalog lists 6 objects built on the Tiros N bus. 5 are in orbit and 1 have reentered.

How many Tiros N satellites are in orbit?

5 Tiros N objects are currently in orbit, of which 0 carry an active status.

Who builds the Tiros N bus?

The Tiros N bus is most commonly built by RCA.

When did the first Tiros N satellite launch?

The first cataloged Tiros N satellite launched in 1978, and the most recent in 1999.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.