Since satellites were a new technology, the TIROS Program also tested various design issues for spacecraft: instruments, data and operational parameters.

Mounted around the edge of the baseplate were five diametrically opposed pairs of small, solid-fuel thrusters that maintained the satellite spin rate between 8 and 12 rpm.

For the first time, it was possible to view large scale cloud patterns in their totality, and from this, identify storm regions.

The satellite provided the first long-term observations of a developing storm from orbit, tracking the disintegration of a large cyclonic mass off the coast of Bermuda over the course of four days.

[4]: 35 TIROS 1 performed normally from launch until June 15, 1960, when an electrical power failure prevented further useful TV transmission.