Remote Sensing Tutorial Introduction - Part 2 Page 10

III. Space Imaging Systems


1891

First proposal (Rahrmann) for using a rocket as a photo platform.

1908

Maul (Germany) develops gyro-stabilized camera mounted on rocket (launched by 1912).

1946

Space pictures obtained from V-2 rockets launched at White Sands Proving Ground (New Mexico).

1957

Launch of Sputnik 1 by USSR.

1960

Images obtained from U.S. meteorological satellite TIROS-1.

1961

Orbital photographs from unmanned Mercury spacecraft MA-4, followed by astronaut photographs from MA-8 and MA-9.

1964

Nimbus research meteorological satellite program begins; TV and other sensors.

1965

First manned Gemini flight (GT-3), with some color photos.

1965

Gemini GT-4 space photography experiments.

1965

Recommendation of ERTS (Landsat) program by U.S. Department of Interior to NASA.

1966

Launch of ATS series of geosynchronous satellites, with imaging sensors, followed by SMS (GOES) series beginning in 1974

1967

Apollo mission Earth-orbital flights (Apollo-6, -7) culminating in SO65 multispectral photography experiment on Apollo-9 (1968)

1972

Launch of ERTS-1 (Landsat); Landsat-2 (1975); Landsat-3 (1978)

1972-73

Skylab launch; series of experiments by astronauts with EREP (Earth Resources Experiment Package).

1975

Apollo-Soyuz flight; some photography.

1978

Seasat-1 launched in June (failed after 99 days).

1978

Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM), first AEM.

1979

Nimbus-7 launched.


Primary Author: Nicholas M. Short, Sr. email: nmshort@nationi.net