SMS

Synchronous Meteorological Satellite

past Mission

Type

Orbiter

Launch

May 17, 1974 and Feb. 6, 1975

Target

Earth

Objective

Demonstrate the ability to put two weather satellites in geosynchronous orbit

A pair of weather satellites, one launched in 1974 and one in 1975, in geosynchronous orbit and managed by NASA for NOAA. SMS-1 and -2 paved the way for the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite) program, with SMS-3 later becoming GOES-1

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The image is divided horizontally by an undulating line between a cloudscape forming a nebula along the bottom portion and a comparatively clear upper portion. Speckled across both portions is a starfield, showing innumerable stars of many sizes. The smallest of these are small, distant, and faint points of light. The largest of these appear larger, closer, brighter, and more fully resolved with 8-point diffraction spikes. The upper portion of the image is blueish, and has wispy translucent cloud-like streaks rising from the nebula below. The orangish cloudy formation in the bottom half varies in density and ranges from translucent to opaque. The stars vary in color, the majority of which have a blue or orange hue. The cloud-like structure of the nebula contains ridges, peaks, and valleys – an appearance very similar to a mountain range. Three long diffraction spikes from the top right edge of the image suggest the presence of a large star just out of view.

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