When was the TIROS 1 weather satellite launched into space?

On April 1st, 1960 the TIROS 1 (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) was launched. It took 23,000 pictures of the earth and its clouds over a period of 78 days. Meteorologists were very pleased with the results. Mission partners were NASA, the U.S. Army Signal Research and Development Laboratory, RCA, the U.S. Weather Bureau, and the U.S. Naval Photographic Interpretation Center.

Soon the value of satellites in understanding weather was clear to the public. In September 1961 satellite images of cyclone Carla led to the evacuation of more than 350,000 people from their homes along the Gulf coast of the USA.

Throughout the 1960's satellite meteorology advanced at a very rapid pace. Improved infrared technology allowed pictures to be taken by night. By 1963, photographs could be obtained directly from satellites as they passed overhead.