Bhaskara (satellite)

1984 USSR stamp featuring Bhaskara-I, Bhaskara-II and Aryabhata satellites

The Bhaskara-I and II Satellites were two satellites built by the Indian Space Research Organisation that formed India's first low orbit Earth Observation Satellite. They collected data on telemetry, oceanography and hydrology.

Bhaskara-I

Bhaskara-I
Mission type Experimental Remote Sensing
Earth Obsservation Satellite
Mission duration 10 years (Re-Entered in 1989)[1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Unmanned
Manufacturer India ISRO
Launch mass 444 kilograms (979 lb)
Power 47 watts
Start of mission
Launch date 7 June 1979 (1979-06-07Z) IST
Rocket C-1 Intercosmos Launch Vehicle
Launch site Kapustin Yar

Bhaskara-I, weighing 444 kg at launch, was launched on 7 June 1979 from Kapustin Yar aboard the Intercosmos launch vehicle. It was placed in an orbital Perigee and Apogee of 394 km and 399 km at an inclination of 50.7°.[2] The satellite consisted of-

Bhaskara-II

Bhaskara-II
Mission type Experimental Remote Sensing
Earth Obsservation Satellite
Mission duration 10 years (Re-Entered in 1991)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Unmanned
Manufacturer ISRO
Launch mass 444 kilograms (979 lb)
Power 47 watts
Start of mission
Launch date 20 November 1981 (1981-11-20Z) IST
Rocket C-1 Intercosmos Launch Vehicle
Launch site Volgograd Launch Station

The satellite provided ocean and land surface data. It orbited at 541 x 557 km with inclination of 50.7°. One of two onboard cameras malfunctioned, however it sent back more than two thousand images. Housekeeping telemetry was received until re-entry in 1991.[3]

See also

References

  1. Bhaskara-I : ISRO
  2. Bharat-rakshak.com Indian satellite systems
  3. Earth Observation Satellite
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