SAC-D
 Artist's impression of SAC-D in orbit | |
| Mission type | Earth science |
|---|---|
| Operator | CONAE NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 2011-024A |
| SATCAT no. | 37673 |
| Website | www |
| Mission duration | 5 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | INVAP INPE/LIT[disambiguation needed] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | June 10, 2011, 14:20:13 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta II 7320-10C |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SLC-2W |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous |
| Perigee altitude | 659 kilometers (409 mi)[1] |
| Apogee altitude | 661 kilometers (411 mi)[1] |
| Inclination | 98.01 degrees[1] |
| Period | 97.81 minutes[1] |
| Epoch | 25 January 2015, 00:27:17 UTC[1] |
| Instruments | |
| Aquarius | |
SAC-D (Spanish: Satelite de Aplicaciones Cientificas-D, meaning Satellite for Scientific Applications-D), also known as Aquarius after its primary instrument, is an Argentine Earth science satellite built by INVAP and launched on June 10, 2011.[2] It carries seven instruments to study the environment, and a technology demonstration experiment.[3] Its primary instrument, Aquarius, was built by and is operated by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration. SAC-D is operated by CONAE, the Argentine space agency. The satellite is expected to operate for five years; however the Aquarius instrument is only expected to operate for three.[4]
Launch
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SAC-D was launched on June 10, 2011.[5] A Delta II 7320-10 was used as the launch vehicle, taking off from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base. NASA was responsible for providing launch services,[6] which were subcontracted to United Launch Alliance. The launch was delayed from May 2010 because development of the spacecraft was taking longer than expected.[7]
Instruments
| Name | Operator | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Aquarius |  NASA |
Ocean salinity research |
| CARMEN I |  CNES |
Two experiments: SODAD will study particles and debris in space, ICARE will study cosmic radiation and its effects on electronics |
| DCS |  CONAE |
Collection of data provided by platforms on Earth. Compatible with Argos System |
| HSC | CONAE |
Imaging of aurorae, fires, and lights |
| MWR | CONAE |
Radiometry |
| NIRST | CONAE CSA |
Infrared imagery, determination of sea temperatures |
| ROSA |  ASI |
Measurement of temperature and humidity in the atmosphere |
| TDP | CONAE |
Technology demonstration involving GPS navigation and inertial guidance[3] |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "SAC-D (AQUARIUS) Satellite details 2011-024A NORAD 37673". N2YO. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ^ "Aquarius". Nasa. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Aquarius/SAC-D Instruments". CONAE. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ "Vandenberg delays launch of Aquarius satellite". KSBY6. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ "NASA's 'Age of Aquarius' Dawns With California Launch". NASA GSFC. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
- ^ "Aquarius / SAC-D Satellite Mission". Earth & Space Research. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ Clark, Stephen (2009-12-26). "Ocean-watching satellite facing delays in Argentina". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
External links
