[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3091-H3092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. TELEVISION INFRARED 
                         OBSERVATION SATELLITE

  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1231) celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 
United States Television Infrared Observation Satellite, the world's 
first meteorological satellite, launched by the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration on April 1, 1960, and fulfilling the promise 
of President Eisenhower to all nations of the world to promote the 
peaceful use of space for the benefit of all mankind.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1231

       Whereas, April 1, 2010, is the 50th anniversary of the 
     launch by the United States of the Television Infrared 
     Observation Satellite (TIROS I), the first weather 
     observation satellite, that was capable of taking television 
     images on command and remotely at locations around the world, 
     and either recording the pictures as television signals for 
     subsequent playback or transmitting the images to ground 
     stations in real time;
       Whereas TIROS resulted from the actions by President 
     Eisenhower and Congress to create the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration (NASA), a civilian space agency, 
     which applied technology from several military programs that 
     had been directed by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Development 
     and Research Labs (USASCDRL) at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, 
     and the United States Army Ballistic Missile Agency in 
     Huntsville, Alabama;
       Whereas TIROS I images offered meteorologists the ability 
     to examine large-scale weather patterns to improve weather 
     forecasting and enable early warning of approaching storms, 
     thus saving lives and property around the world;
       Whereas the TIROS I images led to a better understanding of 
     global patterns and supported transmission of detailed local 
     weather information to national weather agencies around the 
     world;
       Whereas the realization of TIROS I was made possible by 
     years of development of computers, missile systems, 
     television imaging, magnetic recording, semiconductor 
     devices, and solar cell applications, all of which resulted 
     from both Government and private sector investments;
       Whereas Government investments in research and development 
     made possible the deployment of satellite tracking networks, 
     worldwide WWV receiver time base systems, tracking data 
     reduction for orbit element determination, and other 
     facilities essential to the satellite applications;
       Whereas Government and contractor personnel collaborated to 
     observe and analyze the motion of TIROS I in the Earth's 
     magnetic field, and developed satellite magnetic attitude 
     controls for later TIROS and other spacecraft to utilize the 
     Earth's magnetic field to orient satellites in Earth orbit;
       Whereas the success of TIROS I was a significant Cold War 
     event that restored the national pride and confidence in the 
     space program;
       Whereas, since the launch of TIROS I, the United States has 
     launched over 82 experimental and operational meteorological 
     satellites;
       Whereas NASA's Nimbus Satellites and Advanced 
     Communications Technology Satellite continued to enhance 
     understanding and performance by further testing and 
     development of space power systems, sensor development, and 
     other technologies;
       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
     (NOAA) manages and operates fleets of satellites for the 
     purposes of environmental and weather monitoring;
       Whereas similar TIROS missions employed launch vehicles, 
     spacecraft, and imaging equipment that was developed by NASA, 
     the United States Air Force and their contractors and has 
     performed in an outstanding manner;
       Whereas the next 50 years of United States accomplishments 
     in space, like other important fields, will rely on 
     individuals possessing strong mathematics, science, and 
     engineering skills and the educators who will train such 
     individuals; and
       Whereas the United States space program enables the 
     development of advanced technologies, skills, and 
     capabilities that support the competitiveness and economic 
     growth of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) celebrates the achievement of the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration and the Television Infrared 
     Observation Satellite (TIROS I) team who worked together to 
     enable the successful launch and operation of TIROS I by the 
     United States to establish applications of space systems and 
     technology for the benefit of people worldwide;
       (2) supports science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics education programs which are critical for 
     preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists to 
     lead future United States space endeavors;
       (3) recognizes the role of the United States space program 
     in strengthening the scientific and engineering foundation 
     that contributes to United States innovation and economic 
     growth; and
       (4) looks forward to the next 50 years of United States 
     achievements in the peaceful use of space to benefit all 
     mankind.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Fudge) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 1231, the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. FUDGE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1231, celebrating the 
50th anniversary of the United States Television Infrared Observation 
Satellite.
  Launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on 
April 1, 1960, the United States Television Infrared Observation 
Satellite, better known as TIROS I, demonstrated the beginning of a new 
American capability--the ability to examine weather patterns from space 
and to enable the early warnings of storms.
  The TIROS I spacecraft gave the United States crucial experience 
related to satellite technology and applications. Over the past 50 
years, NASA has continued to develop increasingly capable weather 
satellites for operation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. Because of the technology pioneered by TIROS I, 
meteorologists have access to information that helps to save lives and 
property around the world. Today, American Earth observation satellites 
track everything from the movements of volcanic ash over Europe to the 
spread of petroleum over the Gulf of Mexico.
  TIROS I is a shining example of the peaceful use of outer space and 
of the benefits that our civil space program provides for the United 
States and for the world.
  I want to thank my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) for 
introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting H. Res. 1231, marking the 50th anniversary of TIROS I.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1231, 
celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States Television 
Infrared Observation Satellite, which is the world's first 
meteorological satellite, launched by the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration on April 1, 1960.
  The launching of Sputnik in 1957 signaled the Soviet Union's advances 
in the space race with the United States. This event caused the 
creation of NASA, and it precipitated the push by the U.S. to gain a 
technological advantage in space. It was during this time that NASA 
launched the Television Infrared Observation Satellite, or TIROS, to 
determine if satellites could be useful in the study of the Earth.
  It was unknown whether or not satellite observations would be an 
effective means to determine the meteorological condition on the 
Earth's surface. Scientists postulated that space-based observations 
would be highly useful for weather forecasting.
  TIROS was equipped with two television cameras, with a magnetic tape 
recorder and with antennas. This simple configuration relayed thousands 
of pictures of the Earth's cloud cover, giving scientists the first 
real insight into the complexity of the Earth's atmosphere. When the 
first accurate weather forecasts based on data collected from TIROS 
were completed, it became obvious that this technology would 
revolutionize meteorology and that it would have long-lasting impacts 
on society.
  To demonstrate its usefulness to the world and to fulfill President 
Dwight

[[Page H3092]]

D. Eisenhower's pledge to promote the peaceful use of space for the 
benefit of all mankind, NASA and the U.S. Weather Bureau invited 
scientists from 21 different nations to participate in the analysis of 
weather data from successive satellites.
  It was due to this information that the Weather Bureau issued its 
first advisories on air pollution potential over the eastern United 
States. Today, weather forecasting is used in every part of our 
society. It is used to help protect human welfare and to guard against 
property damage; it is used to enhance commerce, and it is used to 
inform officials of dangerous environmental conditions like hurricanes 
and blizzards.
  The technological advances that we have made since then in satellite 
technology have been astronomical, and the commercialization of this 
technology has brought us even more clarity about the world we live in 
than has ever been known or appreciated before.

                              {time}  1445

  TIROS was only operational for 78 days, but those short weeks 
demonstrated the power and usefulness of space-based observations. It 
has been 50 years since the U.S. launched the first meteorological 
satellite into space, but as with other groundbreaking advances, it's 
appropriate to look back and appreciate the momentum that brought this 
Earth into the space age.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1231.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Holt).
  Mr. HOLT. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1231.
  Let's review the technological, scientific, and political 
accomplishment that the TIROS I satellite represents.
  In October of 1957, the launch by the Soviet Union of the Sputnik 
satellite struck fear in the hearts of Americans. Sputnik II went into 
space weighing over 1,000 pounds and carrying a dog. Meanwhile, the 
United States was developing far smaller satellites and experiencing 
troubles and public setbacks. On December 6, 1957, a Vanguard rocket 
failed to launch a U.S. satellite into space when it exploded on 
national television. In January 1958, the U.S. successfully launched a 
31-pound Explorer I satellite, but even this victory was quickly 
followed by the loss of another Vanguard satellite in February. As the 
early space race continued through 1958 and 1959, the Soviet Union 
always seemed to be a step ahead of the United States.
  The shock of Sputnik and the fear that the United States was losing 
its competitive edge inspired a national effort to prove and improve 
American leadership in the fields of science, math, and engineering. 
The U.S. poured energy and resources into basic research and 
development as well as science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics education. Less than 3 years after the launch of Sputnik, 
these investments were beginning to pay off. The usefulness of 
satellites to observe the Earth remained unproven, and by 1960, U.S. 
scientists and engineers had designed and built a new series of 
satellites to test the proposition and to demonstrate American 
dominance.
  The first launch of TIROS in April of 1960 was a clear U.S. victory 
in the space race, and it was the world's first meteorological 
satellite and the first to relay video images of the Earth from above. 
TIROS represented a scientific milestone and a clear message to our 
rivals and to ourselves that we had an ``eye in the sky'' and we could 
watch the planet.
  During the 78 days that it was in operation, TIROS I sent home almost 
23,000 images, including those of a tropical storm, the cloud system of 
a large extratropical cyclone in the Gulf of Alaska, and the pack ice 
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Meteorologists used the transmissions to 
make the first accurate weather forecasts based on data gathered from 
space. The TIROS I program initiated a revolution in meteorological 
science and was the first step in the establishment of satellite storm 
tracking and warning systems that subsequently have saved countless 
lives. It proved that satellites could be useful tools for studying the 
planet and acquiring information to be used immediately for predictions 
and decision-making.
  The design, the construction, the launch, and the operation of the 
TIROS I was carried out by a team from NASA, the U.S. Army Signal 
Corps, Fort Monmouth, the U.S. Weather Bureau, the U.S. Naval 
Photographic Interpretation Center, the Defense Advanced Research 
Projects Agency, Lockheed, Douglas, Martin Marietta. I am proud that 
central New Jersey can rightly claim a large share of the credit for 
TIROS I, which was engineered and manufactured in central New Jersey by 
RCA Astro-Electronics. One of the two command and data acquisition 
centers was located at Camp Evans. Many of the scientists and 
technicians and engineers who worked on this have recently gathered to 
celebrate this accomplishment.
  But five decades later, it's too easy to take for granted the U.S. 
victory in the space race and the technological developments that were 
pioneered by TIROS and its successors. Most of us give little thought 
to the satellites that bring us our daily weather images. There's the 
story, perhaps apocryphal, of the politician who said, We don't need 
weather satellites when we have the Weather Channel. Well, we do. From 
solar cells and tape recorders to cell phone cameras and GPS systems, 
the contributions that derive from the TIROS program are not confined 
to outer space.

  TIROS is a reminder of what we can achieve when we apply sufficient 
energy and resources to research and development in pursuit of a 
national goal. The story of TIROS should be a guide to rebuilding our 
economy. It's a blueprint for how we can create not just jobs but whole 
new industries. It's the story of how America remains competitive.
  Let us honor this legacy by maintaining the urgent spirit of 
discovery and innovation embodied by the TIROS I team.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I would just ask that my colleagues would 
support House Resolution 1231, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1231.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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