Nimbus B

Nimbus B
Mission typeWeather satellite
OperatorNASA
COSPAR IDNIMBS-B
Mission durationLaunch failure
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerRCA Astrospace
Launch mass571.5 kilograms (1,260 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch dateMay 18, 1968, 08:23:00 (1968-05-18UTC08:23Z) UTC[2]
RocketThorad-SLV2G Agena-D
Launch siteVandenberg SLC-2E
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
EpochPlanned[1]

Nimbus B was a meteorological satellite launched as part of the Nimbus program. It was released on May 18, 1968 from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California, by means of a Thor-Agena launch vehicle, together with the SECOR 10 satellite. Nimbus B never achieved orbit because a malfunction in the booster guidance system forced the destruction of the spacecraft and its payload during launch.

The Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator SNAP-19 RTG was salvaged from the water, refurbished and later flown on Nimbus 3.[3]

  • Nimbus B undergoes testing in an echo-free chamber.
    Nimbus B undergoes testing in an echo-free chamber.
  • The hunt was on for the Nimbus remains—divers, submarines and navy vessels all scoured the ocean in search of the craft.
    The hunt was on for the Nimbus remains—divers, submarines and navy vessels all scoured the ocean in search of the craft.
  • A team of divers and search vessels scoured the Pacific Ocean in search of remains of Nimbus-B.
    A team of divers and search vessels scoured the Pacific Ocean in search of remains of Nimbus-B.
  • Intact SNAP-19 fuel capsule is shown among debris on Pacific Ocean floor, resulting from the aborted launch of a Nimbus B.
    Intact SNAP-19 fuel capsule is shown among debris on Pacific Ocean floor, resulting from the aborted launch of a Nimbus B.

Instruments

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Nimbus B". National Space Science Data Center Master Catalog. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved June 5, 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ McDowell, Jonathan C. "GCAT orbital launch log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Nimbus B". NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved June 5, 2018.


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