NASA's TIROS (Television & Infra-Red Observation Satellite) program was the first experimental weathersatellite program. June 19, 1962 at 12:19 UTC · Launch Successful Thor Delta — United States Air Force, to Sun-Synchronous Orbit Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 174th orbital launch attempt, and 32nd of 1962. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image by NOAA via The Space Devs.