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Seasat
Seasat
Seasat
Credit: NASA
American earth resources radar satellite. Seasat was the first satellite designed for remote sensing of the Earth's oceans with synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Earth Observing Radar satellite built by Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Ball Space Systems, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1978.

Status: Operational 1978. First Launch: 1978-06-27. Last Launch: 1978-06-27. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Height: 21.00 m (68.00 ft).

The mission was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of global satellite monitoring of oceanographic phenomena and to help determine the requirements for an operational ocean remote sensing satellite system. Specific objectives were to collect data on sea-surface winds, sea-surface temperatures, wave heights, internal waves, atmospheric water, sea ice features and ocean topography. The mission ended on October 10, 1978 due to a failure of the vehicle's electric power system. Although only approximately 42 hours of real time data was received, the mission demonstrated the feasibility of using microwave sensors to monitor ocean conditions, and laid the groundwork for future SAR missions.

The spacecraft utilized the Agena upper stage to provide satellite bus functions, including power, telemetry (S-band), attitude control, and command and control functions. A sensor package containing the mission's five experiments was attached to the Agena, as were the experiments' antenna systems. The vehicle was 3-axis stabilized using momentum wheels and horizon sensors. The vehicle was oriented with the SAR and other antennas remaining nadir pointing and the Agena rocket nozzle and solar panels zenith pointing.

The payload included:


More at: Seasat.

Family: Earth, Civilian radarsat. Country: USA. Engines: Bell 8096. Launch Vehicles: Atlas, Atlas F, Atlas F/Agena D. Launch Sites: Vandenberg, Vandenberg SLC3W. Agency: JPL, NASA, Lockheed, Ball. Bibliography: 2, 278, 279, 6, 6859, 13079.
Photo Gallery

Seasat 1Seasat 1
Credit: Manufacturer Image



1978 June 27 - . 01:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC3W. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas F/Agena D.
1978 October 10 - .

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