NOAA-8 was launched in March 1983 and was a third-generation operational
meteorological satellite for use in the National Environmental Satellite Data
and Information Service (NESDIS) of NOAA. NOAA-8
... was the first spacecraft of
the advanced TIROS-N (ATN) series. The satellite design provided an economical
and stable sun-synchronous platform for advanced operational instruments to
measure the earth's atmosphere, its surface and cloud cover, and the near-space
environment. The satellite was based upon the Block 5D spacecraft bus
developed for the U.S. Air Force, and it was capable of maintaining an
earth-pointing accuracy of better than plus or minus 0.1 degree with a motion
rate of less than 0.035 degree/second.
Primary sensors included an Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)
and a TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS). Secondary experiments
consisted of a Space Environment Monitor (SEM) and a Data Collection and
Platform Location System (DCPLS). A Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking
(SARSAT) system was also included on NOAA-8. Although designed for a 2-year
life span, NOAA-8 experienced a premature failure in June 1984.
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Taken from the NSSDC System for Information Retrieval and Storage (SIRS). For
more information contact the NSSDC Coordinated Request and User Support Office,
301-286-6695 (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 933.4, Greenbelt, Maryland
20771, USA,https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/).