History of Satellite Meteorology

• Satellites with meteorological instrumentation were first launched in the late 1950's.

• The first satellite completely dedicated to satellite meteorology was launched on 1 April 1960.  

• It was called the TIROS (Television and Infrared Observational Satellite).  

• The life span of this satellite was 79 days.  

• The images, however, generated much excitement in the meteorological community.  

• Here is the first image it produced:  http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WxForecasting/wx4.php

• Nine additional TIROS satellites were subsequently launched through 1965.