Feb 8 1962
From The Space Library
NASA's TIROS IV launched by a 3-stage Thor-Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral into a near-circular orbit with an apogee of 525 miles and perigee of 471. TIROS IV featured the same basic types of equipment as in previous Tiros satellites, including cameras for cloud-cover photography and infrared sensors to measure temperatures at various levels in the atmosphere. Principal innovation was a camera with new type of wide-angle lens covering an area 450 miles on a side, which was expected to provide minimum distortion. NASA press conference reported that quality of TIROS IV pictures was good.
Navy, in conjunction with Weather Bureau and Canada, launched a major ice reconnaissance effort in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as part of a project to develop procedures and techniques for interpreting satellite readouts of ice formation. Called Project Tirec, the effort was timed to coincide with the successful launch of TIROS IV.
Deputy NASA Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden accepted invitation to become an Honorary Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, an honor only accorded to eight persons who have rendered major services to astronautics over a number of years.
Edmund F. Buryan was named consultant to NASA to develop plans, policies, and programs for applying technological advances to practical benefit of the U.S. economy and industry.
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