NIMBUS SATELLITE MODEL, LIKELY BY RCA AEROSPACE FOR NASA, CA 1964

NIMBUS SATELLITE MODEL

Early model of a Nimbus satellite, likely by RCA Aerospace for NASA, ca 1964

1:8 scale model in metal, wood, and resin (16 1/2 by 16 by 7 1/2 inches), with fully articulating solar panels, mounted onto black acrylic base with label reading "Nimbus 1/8 scale" (12 by 12 by 1/2 inches). Two small numbered labels, with accompanying labels in braille. Some oxidization to metal supports, some pieces chipped off around outer ring. Housed in the original wood carrying case (20 1/4 by 17 1/2 by 14 inches) with NASA worm label (indicating that this was released for educational purposes to Oklahoma State University), metal Oklahoma State University tag, and metal NASA California State University Chico, University Foundation tag. 

Nimbus satellites were second generation robotic spacecrafts used for meteorological research and development including weather forecasting, measurements of the Earth's radiation budget, observations of the Ozone layer and sea ice, and were at the forefront of the GPS era with their operational search and rescue data collection systems. A total of 7 Nimbus satellites were launched between 1964-1978 aboard Thor-Agena and Delta rockets.