SAC C

Argentina

Spacecraft n°:

Argentinian satellite n°: 6

Launch data:

Designation 26620 / 00075B
Launch date 21 Nov 2000 - 18:24:25 UT
Launch siteVa, SLC-2W
Launch vehicleDelta 7320-10 (#D282)
MissionEarth remote sensing (C), Scientific
Sun-synchronous Earth orbit:
Perigee/Apogee 672/706 km sun-synchronous
Inclination 98.2°
Period 98.7 min

It will provide multispectral imaging of terrestrial and coastal environments. The spacecraft will provide studies of the structure and dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere. The Earth's geomagnetic field will also be studied. SAC-C will verify autonomous methods of attitude and orbit determination.

Specifications

Prime contractorCONAE
Platform 
OperatorCONAE
Mass at launch 475 kg
Mass in orbit  
Dimension  
Solar array 2 deployable solar arrays
Equipment Remote sensing equipment, GOLPE, Oerstedt-2 Helium Magnetometer
Stabilization 
DC power  
Design lifetime 4 years

SAC-C has an instrument payload of 11 different instruments. Eight of those instruments are dedicated to better understanding the Earth's environment and ecology, including one instrument designed to receive signals from tracking instruments being attached to whales. SAC-C will in addition carry three GPS instruments to test new technology in spacecraft development and environmental monitoring. Will also have a digital transponder for amateur radio.

It operates in 4 wavelength bands covering 0.4-1.75 microns, with a spatial resolution of 1 km.

Ref: #7, #12, #14, #78a - update: 17.09.11