Nimbus 2 was launched on May 15, 1966, by a Thor-Agena rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, United States.

The polar-orbiting spacecraft consisted of three major elements: (1) a torus-shaped sensory ring, (2) solar paddles, and (3) the control system housing.

The solar paddles and control system housing were connected to the sensory ring by a truss structure, giving the satellite the appearance of an ocean buoy.

An H-frame structure mounted within the center of the torus provided support for the larger experiments and tape recorders.

Some real-time data were collected until January 17, 1969, when the spacecraft mission was terminated owing to deterioration of the horizon scanner used for Earth reference.