NASA's TIROS (Television & Infra-Red Observation Satellite) program was the first experimental weathersatellite program. September 18, 1962 at 08:53 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 197th orbital launch attempt, and 55th of 1962. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image by NOAA via The Space Devs.