February 3, 1966: ESSA-1 First Operational Satellite

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ESSA-1
ESSA-1

1966 – The US launched the first operational satelliteat 7:41 UTC. The Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA-1) was a weather satellite and the first one the US put into space. This is a spin-stabilized satellite meant to hover over Earth. ESSA-1 orbited every 100 minutes.

The device orbited Earth and sent meteorological photos back  until October 6, 1966 when the camera failed. ESSA-1 was officially deactivated on May 8, 1967.

Wikazine – Full show notes for February 3

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