Jul 29 1976
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(New page: NASA launched ITOS-H, fifth operational spacecraft of the second generation improved Tiros operational satellite (ITOS) series, from the Western Test Range at 1:07 pm EDT (10:07 am...)
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NASA launched ITOS-H, fifth operational spacecraft of the second generation improved Tiros operational satellite (ITOS) series, from the Western Test Range at 1:07 pm EDT (10:07 am PDT, local time) on a 2-stage Delta vehicle into a synchronous polar orbit with 1523.6-km apogee, 1512.5-km perigee, 102.10 inclination, and 116.2-min period. After successful injection into orbit, the satellite was redesignated NOAA S; upon completion of in-orbit checkout, spacecraft control would be transferred to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as part of that agency's National Operational Meteorological Satellite System (NOMSS). Of 4 previous NOAA polar-orbiting spacecraft, 2 still provided limited information but had deteriorated after 2.5 and 1.5 yr in orbit respectively because of harsh environmental conditions in space.
ITOS spacecraft were designed to provide complete global coverage of earth's cloudcover and atmospheric structure on a daily basis, using both daytime and nighttime instrumentation. The 345-kg box like spacecraft measured roughly 1 x 1 x 1.25 m and carried 3 winglike panels covered with solar cells, as well as earth-orientation devices and 4 communications antennas. Sensor systems included 2 vertical-temperature profile radiometers, 2 very high-resolution radiometers, and 2 solar proton monitoring systems, as well as a scanning radiometer system to provide both stored picture coverage for transmission on demand and direct transmission of images to receiving stations within range. Visible channel resolution was 3.7 km, infrared resolution 7.4 km. (NASA Release 76-130; MOR E-601-76-17 [prelaunch] 28 July 76, [postlaunch] 30 July 76, 1 Oct 76; NOAA Releases 76-143, 76-152)
U.S. airline traffic increased more than 12% in the first half of 1976, the Air Transport Association reported; increasing numbers of passengers plus increased fares and cost-cutting would produce better profits for the airlines. Analysts said Americans were flying in unprecedented numbers because they felt the recession was over; even "ailing international carriers" like Pan American World Airways and Trans World Airlines were trimming their operating losses and might show some profit for the year, the Wall Street Journal reported. (WSJ, 29 July 76, 15)
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