TIROS-1 (or TIROS-I ) was the first Meteorological satellite having been lance and having operated successfully and was the first of the series TIROS. NASA wanted to check film cameras televised of the atmosphere and systems evolving/moving there.

Its unhappy predecessor, the Vanguard 2, could not stabliser in position to take photographs. He was lance on April 1st 1960 of Cap Canaveral (Florida) and remained operational 78 days. In spite of this short life, it could show the utility of such images.

Tiros-1 was provided with two cameras, two units of magnetic tapes and 9.200 cells Photovoltaïque S with batteries. The whole weighing 120 Kilogram S. the images were sent to a Reception antenna or emmaganized on ribbons for later diffusion when it of it was distant.