Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

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OBSERVING THE EARTH FROM SPACE
launching, data retrieval and processing, and dissemination to users.
b. An organization to perform all activities related to the operational meteorological
satellite observing system would be established as a self-contained entity
reporting to the Chief of the Weather Bureau.
c. Coordination will be accomplished by a “Civil-Military Liaison Committee”
and resident liaison personnel.
d. The operational system will be started by the end of Fiscal Year 1962.
(Adequate funding is required to accomplish this.)
2. With respect to Research and Development:
a. NASA has the responsibility for the equipment design and development,
launching and data retrieval associated with experimental satellites. The
design of the operational space craft will be based on the results of this work.
b. The Weather Bureau has the responsibility for the data analysis and meteorological
research.
3. In operations and research and development, it is assumed that the Department
of Defense would be responsible for:
a. Military application of satellite data and National Meteorological Center
products.
[3] b. Specialized communication systems and other facilities to meet unique needs
not covered by the National Satellite Meteorological Program.
4. International participation will be developed by existing international bodies
such as the World Meteorological Organization. . . .
Document II-5
Document title: Hugh L. Dryden, Deputy Administrator, for James E. Webb, Administrator,
NASA, and Luther H. Hodges, Secretary of Commerce, “Basic Agreement Between U.S.
Department of Commerce and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Concerning Operational Meteorological Satellite Systems,” January 30, 1964.
Source: NASA Historical Reference Collection, NASA History Office, NASA
Headquarters, Washington D.C.
When the Interagency Panel on Operational Meteorological Satellites released a plan in April 1961
calling for NASA to develop an operational weather satellite system to be managed by the U.S. Weather
Bureau, the bureau was concerned by the lack of influence it had over the developmental stages of this
next generation of weather satellites, named Nimbus. Some of these fears were realized as the NASAmanaged
Nimbus program suffered numerous delays as well as dramatic costs increases. On
September 27, 1963, frustrated with NASA’s performance, the Weather Bureau announced that it
would develop its own satellite system based on the TIROS design, with the Department of Defense providing
launch services. Outmaneuvered, NASA agreed to helping the Weather Bureau develop its
TIROS-based system, as well as granting it an increased role in developing the Nimbus satellite, which
became an experimental rather than an operational system. This agreement codified the NASA-
Weather Bureau relationship.