TheSynchronous Meteorological Satellite (SMS) program, was a program whereNASA developed twoweather satellites; which were placed intogeosynchronous orbit.
SMS-1 was launched May 17, 1974 andSMS-2 was launched February 6, 1975.[1][2] Both satellites were carried to orbit byDelta 2914 rockets.[3] The program was initiated after the successes achieved by theApplications Technology Satellite (ATS) research satellites, which demonstrated the feasibility of using satellites in geosynchronous orbit formeteorology. TheGeostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program, which now supports weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, and meteorology research in the United States, followed immediately after the SMS program; theGOES 1 satellite was initially designated SMS-C.[4] SMS-1 and SMS-2; andGOES-1,GOES-2, andGOES-3; were essentially identical.[5]
| Designation | Launch Date/Time (UTC) | Rocket | Launch Site | Longitude | First Image | Status | Retirement | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Operational | ||||||||
SMS series satellites[edit] | |||||||||
| SMS-A | SMS-1 | May 17, 1974 | Delta 2914 | ||||||
| SMS-B | SMS-2 | February 6, 1975 | Delta 2914 | ||||||
SMS-derived satellites[edit] | |||||||||
| SMS-C GOES-A | GOES 1 | October 16, 1975, 22:40 | Delta 2914 | CCAFSLC-17A | October 25, 1975 | Retired | March 7, 1985[6] | ||
| SMS-D GOES-B | GOES 2 | June 16, 1977, 10:51 | Delta 2914 | CCAFSLC-17B | 60°W | Retired | 1993[7] | Reactivated as comsat in 1995,[7] finally deactivated in May 2001 | |
| SMS-E GOES-C | GOES 3 | June 16, 1978, 10:49 | Delta 2914 | CCAFSLC-17B | Retired | 1993[8] | Reactivated as comsat in 1995,[8] was decommissioned 29 June 2016 | ||
| SMS (predecessor) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| SMS derived | ||
| 1st generation | ||
| 2nd generation | ||
| 3rd generation | ||
| 4th generation | ||
