Formosat-1

Summary

Formosat-1 (福爾摩沙衛星一號, formerly known as ROCSAT-1) was an Earth observation satellite operated by the National Space Program Office (NSPO, now the National Space Organization) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to conduct observations of the ionosphere and oceans. The spacecraft and its instrumentation were developed jointly by NSPO and TRW using TRW's Lightsat bus, and was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, US, by Lockheed Martin on January 27, 1999.[2] FormoSat-1 provided 5½ years of operational service. The spacecraft ended its mission on June 17, 2004 and was decommissioned on July 16, 2004.[3][4]

Formosat-1
ROCSAT-1
福爾摩沙衛星一號
Mission typeScience
OperatorNational Space Organization
COSPAR ID1999-002A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.25616Edit this on Wikidata
WebsiteFormosat-1
Mission duration5.5 years
Spacecraft properties
BOL mass401 kg
Start of mission
Launch dateJan 27, 1999
RocketATHENA-1/LMLV1
End of mission
Decay date22 May 2023[1]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
Inclination35°
Period96.7 mins
 

Technical details edit

Spacecraft edit

  • Weight: 401 kg
  • Shape: Hexagonal
  • Dimensions
    • Height: 2.1 m
    • Diameter: 1.1 m
  • Solar arrays: Two, 1.16 x 2.46 m
  • Electrical power: 450 watts

Instrumentation edit

  • Experimental Communication Payload (ECP)
  • Ionosphere Plasma Electrodynamics Instrument (IPEI)
  • Ocean Color Imager (OCI)

Orbit edit

  • Altitude: 600 km
  • Type: Circular
  • Inclination: 35 degrees

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "ROCSAT 1". N2YO.com. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  2. ^ "FORMOSAT-1: Low-earth-orbit scientific experimental satellite". Taiwan National Space Organization. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  3. ^ "FormoSat-1". eoPortal.org. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Wu, L.; Chen, S.-S.; Yaung, J. Ju-Chen (November 26, 2004). "Space Program in Taiwan". Proceedings of ASC (Asian Space Conference), Chiang Mai, Thailand.

External links edit

  • ROCSAT-1 at GlobalSecurity