Space Imaging Systems

III. Space Imaging Systems

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1891	First proposal (Rahrmann) for using a rocket as a photo platform.
1908	Maul (Germany) develops gyro-stabilized camera mounted on rocket (launched by 1912).
1946	Space pictures obtained from V-2 rockets launched at White Sands Proving Ground (New Mexico).
1957	Launch of Sputnik 1 by USSR.
1960	Images obtained from U.S. meteorological satellite TIROS-1.
1961	Orbital photographs from unmanned Mercury spacecraft MA-4, followed by astronaut photographs from MA-8 and MA-9.
1964	Nimbus research meteorological satellite program begins; TV and other sensors.
1965	First manned Gemini flight (GT-3), with some color photos.
1965	Gemini GT-4 space photography experiments.
1965	Recommendation of ERTS (Landsat) program by U.S. Department of Interior to NASA.
1966	Launch of ATS series of geosynchronous satellites, with imaging sensors, followed by SMS (GOES) series beginning in 1974
1967	Apollo mission Earth-orbital flights (Apollo-6, -7) culminating in SO65 multispectral photography experiment on Apollo-9 (1968)
1972	Launch of ERTS-1 (Landsat); Landsat-2 (1975); Landsat-3 (1978)
1972-73	Skylab launch; series of experiments by astronauts with EREP (Earth Resources Experiment Package).
1975	Apollo-Soyuz flight; some photography.
1978	Seasat-1 launched in June (failed after 99 days).
1978	Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM), first AEM.
1979	Nimbus-7 launched.

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