• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
SRI logo
  • About
    • Press room
  • Expertise
    • Advanced imaging systems
    • Artificial intelligence
    • Biomedical R&D services
    • Biomedical sciences
    • Computer vision
    • Cyber & formal methods
    • Education and learning
    • Innovation strategy and policy
    • National security
    • Ocean & space
    • Quantum
    • QED-C
    • Robotics, sensors & devices
    • Speech & natural language
    • Video test & measurement
  • Ventures
  • NSIC
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • 日本支社
Search
Close
History of innovation November 16, 2021 Computing, Earth and Space, Firsts, Physical World, Safety, Sensing and Devices, The 1960s

TIROS 1 weather satellite

TIROS 1 weather satellite- 1960

The Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS 1) was the world’s first space-based meteorology satellite. It was developed in a collaborative project initiated, designed, and constructed by staff at the David Sarnoff Research Center (now part of SRI), the Astro-Electronics Division, and Defense Electronics Products. The U.S. Army Signal Research and Development Laboratory in New Jersey supervised the effort.

TIROS 1’s imagery of weather systems successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using television cameras to observe the earth from space and directly led to the development of orbital, real-time, video surveillance for meteorological, geographic, military, and environmental imaging. Video satellites have also used Sarnoff’s solid-state image sensors since the 1970s.

In 2010, the IEEE commemorated the achievement with a milestone plaque—one of four given to SRI to date. Other plaques have been given to SRI for its work on the ARPANET, the liquid crystal display, and color television.

SRI’s work in satellite innovation continues today. Our compact Radio Aurora Explorer (RAX), only 10 x 10 x 30 cm, can be used to investigate causes of upper atmospheric/ionospheric plasma turbulence.

ComputingEarth and SpaceFirstsPhysical WorldSafetySensing and DevicesThe 1960s

Read our 75th anniversary blog feature

75 years of innovations: TIROS1 weather satellite

75-years-TIROS-1-Satellite-image graphic
Share this

How can we help?

Once you hit send…

We’ll match your inquiry to the person who can best help you.

Expect a response within 48 hours.

Career call to action image

Make your own mark.

Search jobs

Our work

Case studies

Publications

Timeline of innovation

Areas of expertise

Institute

Leadership

Press room

Media inquiries

Compliance

Careers

Job listings

Contact

SRI Ventures

Our locations

Headquarters

333 Ravenswood Ave
Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA

+1 (650) 859-2000

Subscribe to our newsletter


日本支社
SRI International
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • DMCA
  • Copyright © 2022 SRI International