Launched April 1, 1960, the TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) Program was NASA’s first experimental step to determine if satellites could be useful in the study of the Earth. At that time the effectiveness of satellite observations was still unproven. Since satellites were a new technology, the TIROS Program also tested various design issues for spacecraft: instruments, data, and operational parameters. Its first priority was weather forecasting. TIROS proved extremely successful, providing the first accurate weather forecasts based on data gathered from space. TIROS began continuous coverage of the Earth’s weather in 1962 and was used by meteorologists worldwide. The program’s success led to the development of more sophisticated meteorological observation satellites.