NASA's TIROS (Television & Infra-Red Observation Satellite) program was the first experimental weathersatellite program. June 19, 1963 at 09:50 UTC · Launch Successful Thor Delta B — United States Air Force, to Sun-Synchronous Orbit Space Launch Complex 17B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 257th orbital launch attempt, and 33rd of 1963. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs.