SCATSAT-1
| Operator |
 ISRO |
|---|---|
| Mission duration | 5 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | IMS-2 |
| Manufacturer | ISRO |
| Launch mass | 370 kilograms (820 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 26 September, 2016 |
| Rocket | PSLV-C35 |
| Launch site | SDSC-SHAR |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth at 720 km altitude |
| Period | 100 minutes |
SCATSAT-1 (Scatterometer Satellite-1) is a miniature satellite to provide weather forecasting, cyclone prediction, and tracking services to India. It is being developed by ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore whereas its payload is being developed by Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. The satellite will take place of Oceansat-2 which has become dysfunctional after its life span of four-and-a-half years. Currently India is dependent on NASA’s ISS-RapidScat for prediction of cyclone forecasting and weather prediction.[1] The data generated by this mini-satellite will be used by NASA, EUMETSAT and NOAA.
Payloads
The primary payload of the satellite is a scatterometer which is similar to the payload launched with Oceansat-2. The weight of the scatterometer is 110 kg.[1] It will be able to predict the formation and strengthening of possible cyclones. This can be done by keeping a watch on the formation of the vortex of air over oceans. This satellite will measure the wind speed and its direction over the ocean. It can predict the formation of cyclones, about 4-5 days in advance. This time period is very crucial in saving lives. The scatterometer flown in Oceansat-2 had accurately predicted Cyclone Phailin in Orissa coast in October 2013.
Development
Space Applications Centre of ISRO was responsible for development of the payload. SCATSAT-1 was being built at 60% of the actual production cost and 1/3rd of the actual predicted time.[2] It was built using leftover parts of other satellite missions.[3]
Launch
The satellite was launched on September 26, 2016 and launched by PSLV-C35 the first multi-burn technology used by ISRO. [4] The microsatellites AlSat-1B, AlSat-2B and Pathfinder-1, and nanosatellites AlSat-1N, NLS-19, PISat and Pratham were launched along with Scatsat-1.[5] It has been the longest PSLV mission till date.
References
- 1 2 Nair, Avinash (May 27, 2015). "To predict cyclone, ISRO to build advanced satellite". The Indian Express. Ahmedabad. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ↑ Singh, Tanaya (February 6, 2016). "New ISRO Satellite to Predict Cyclones Being Built at 60% the Actual Cost, in One Third of the Time". thebetterindia.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ↑ "How Isro is 'recycling' to build a cost-effective satellite at 60% the cost and one-third the time". firstpost.com. idrw.org. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ↑ "SCATSAT 1". Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ↑ "SCATSat-1 (Scatterometer Satellite-1)".