The Nimbus satellite system: Remote sensing R&D platform of the 70's

Originally conceived to be the future operational weather satellite, the Nimbus series of seven satellites became the work horse and experimental backbone of the NASA/NOAA space research program. Early problems in developing the attitude control system and proving its operational characteristics in the simulated space environment are discussed. The program proved itself many times over; contributing substantially to the scientific knowledge of atmospherics and weather. As application/research vehicles, the seven Nimbus spacecraft were used for the development, test and application of a variety of new and advanced meteorological and geophysical remote sensing instruments and associated data transmission and processing techniques.