Nimbus 5
| Mission type | Weather satellite |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1972-097A |
| SATCAT no. | 06305 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | RCA Astrospace |
| Launch mass | 770.0 kg (1,697.6 lb) |
| Dimensions | 3.7 metres (12 ft) tall x 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) dia. |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | December 11, 1972 07:56:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta-900 577/D93 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SLC-2W |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | March 29, 1983 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Eccentricity | 0.0008 |
| Perigee altitude | 1,089 kilometers (677 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 1,101 kilometers (684 mi) |
| Inclination | 99° |
| Period | 107.2 minutes |
Nimbus 5 (also called Nimbus E or Nimbus V) was a meteorological satellite for the research and development of sensing technology. It was the fifth successful launch in a series of the Nimbus program.
The objective of Nimbus 5 was to test and evaluate advanced sensing technology, and to provide improved photographs of cloud formations.