Launch and on-orbit checkout of Aquarius/SAC-D Observatory: an international remote sensing satellite mission measuring sea surface salinity

Amit Sen; Daniel Caruso; David Durham; Carlos Falcon

doi:10.1117/12.903547

3 October 2011 Launch and on-orbit checkout of Aquarius/SAC-D Observatory: an international remote sensing satellite mission measuring sea surface salinity

Amit Sen, Daniel Caruso, David Durham, Carlos Falcon

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8176, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XV; 817603 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.903547
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2011, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

The Aquarius/SAC-D observatory was launch in June 2011 from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), in California, USA. This mission is the fourth joint earth-observation endeavor between NASA and CONAE. The primary objective of the Aquarius/SAC-D mission is to investigate the links between global water cycle, ocean circulation and climate by measuring Sea Surface Salinity (SSS). Over the last year, the observatory successfully completed system level environmental and functional testing at INPE, Brazil and was transported to VAFB for launch operations. This paper will present the challenges of this mission, the system, the preparation of the spacecraft, instruments, testing, launch, inorbit checkout and commissioning of this Observatory in space.

Citation Download Citation

Amit Sen, Daniel Caruso, David Durham, and Carlos Falcon "Launch and on-orbit checkout of Aquarius/SAC-D Observatory: an international remote sensing satellite mission measuring sea surface salinity", Proc. SPIE 8176, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XV, 817603 (3 October 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.903547

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