🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Tiros I
Retired 1968Tiros I (NORAD 978, COSPAR 1965-004A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 12 Jun 1968, launched on 22 Jan 1965 on the Tiros I mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the TOS programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA on the Tiros I bus, with a mass of 138 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1965
launched
1968
retired
61
years on orbit
138
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched22 Jan 1965 · on the Tiros I mission
Operational12 Jun 1968 · entered service
Retired12 Jun 1968 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID978
COSPAR1965-004A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRCA
BusTiros I
Mass138 kg
ProgrammeTOS
CategoryMET
OrbitLEO (LEO/S)
Altitude702 × 2,583 km
Inclination96.4°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Tiros I?
Tiros I was retired from service around 12 Jun 1968 after launching in 1965. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Tiros I?
Tiros I was operated by GSFC and built by RCA (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.