Bhaskara Satellite series
Encyclopedia
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.
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°.
The satellite consisted of-
The satellite provided ocean and land surface data. However, the cameras malfunctioned. Housekeeping telemetry was received until re-entry on 17 February 1993.
Indian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
that formed India's first low orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
Earth Observation Satellite
Earth observation satellite
Earth observation satellites are satellites specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit, similar to reconnaissance satellites but intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc....
. They collected data on telemetry, oceanography and hydrology.
Bhaskara-I
Bhaskara-I, weighing 444 kg at launch, was launched on 7 June 1979 from Kapustin YarKapustin Yar
Kapustin Yar is a Russian rocket launch and development site in Astrakhan Oblast, between Volgograd and Astrakhan. Known today as Znamensk , it was established 13 May 1946 and in the beginning used technology, material, and scientific support from defeated Germany...
aboard the Intercosmos launch vehicle. It was placed in an orbital Perigee
Apsis
An apsis , plural apsides , is the point of greatest or least distance of a body from one of the foci of its elliptical orbit. In modern celestial mechanics this focus is also the center of attraction, which is usually the center of mass of the system...
and Apogee
Apsis
An apsis , plural apsides , is the point of greatest or least distance of a body from one of the foci of its elliptical orbit. In modern celestial mechanics this focus is also the center of attraction, which is usually the center of mass of the system...
of 394 km and 399 km at an inclination of 50.7°.
The satellite consisted of-
- Two television cameras operating in visible (600 nanometre) and near-infrared (800 nanometre) and collected data related to hydrologyHydrologyHydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...
, forestryForestryForestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
and geologyGeologyGeology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
.
- Satellite microwave radiometer (SAMIR) operating at 19 and 22 GHz for study of ocean-state, water vapour, liquid water content in the atmosphere, etc.
The satellite provided ocean and land surface data. However, the cameras malfunctioned. Housekeeping telemetry was received until re-entry on 17 February 1993.