Object Details
Manufacturer
NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Summary
This is a flight spare of the power supply for a Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU), an instrument flown on Tiros meteorological satellites beginning with Tiros-N in 1978.
The MSU's purpose was to measure the temperature profile of the Earth's atmosphere from the planet's surface to a height of 20 km. MSU, manufactured at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other instruments on the Tiros series of satellites data are part of on-going program to gather a range of data on the characteristics of and changes to the Earth's atmosphere over a period of years. MSU data on atmospheric temperatures has contributed to scientific discussions of whether the Earth is experiencing a warming trend.
The last MSU flown in space, launched on the NOAA-14 satellite (part of the Tiros program), in 1994, is still gathering data as of 2007.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration transferred this artifact to the Museum in 2004.
Credit Line
Transferred from National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Inventory Number
A20040176001
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Instruments & Payloads
Materials
Aluminum, plastic, copper
Dimensions
Overall: 8 3/4 in high x 8 1/2 wide in x 13 in. long (22.23 x 21.59 x 33.02 cm)
Battery (without fixture): 6 1/2 in high x 7 1/4 in. wide x 10 1/2 in. long (16.51 x 18.42 x 26.67 cm)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Hangar
James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A20040176001