The first meteorological satellite, launched by the USA on 1 April 1960, and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It monitored strips of territory, missing the poles. Two successors, both called TIROS-N, were launched later. TIROS satellites are now known as NOAA-class satellites.

http://science.nasa.gov/missions/tiros/ A NASA mission launched in 1960 to determine if satellites could be useful in the study of the Earth.