NASA’s first colour movie of the Earth from space; view from ATS-3, November 18, 1967

Launched on November 5, 1967, ATS-3 was the third in a NASA satellite program which sought to capture high-quality images for the future global weather observation system dubbed 'World Weather Watch'. Though modest in size (54 in. long, 57.6 in. diameter), ATS-3 sent colour photos which caused a sensation back on Earth. The present photograph shows the Earth from the Pacific Ocean to Central Africa, and from Antarctica to Greenland. The coasts of Morocco is clearly visible under a cloudless area, and the view South Africa is notably delineated by an intense weather front.