FORMOSAT-1
Encyclopedia
FORMOSAT-1 is an Earth observation satellite
operated by the National Space Organization (NSPO) of the Republic of China
(Taiwan
) to conduct observations of the ionosphere
and oceans. The spacecraft and its instrumentation were developed jointly by NSPO and TRW
using TRW's Lightsat bus, and was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
, USA by Lockheed Martin
on January 27, 1999.
FORMOSAT-1 is still active as of July 2005.
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....
operated by the National Space Organization (NSPO) of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
) to conduct observations of the ionosphere
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is a part of the upper atmosphere, comprising portions of the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere...
and oceans. The spacecraft and its instrumentation were developed jointly by NSPO and TRW
TRW
TRW Inc. was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, mainly aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. It was a pioneer in multiple fields including electronic components, integrated circuits, computers, software and systems engineering. TRW built many spacecraft,...
using TRW's Lightsat bus, and was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
, USA by Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
on January 27, 1999.
FORMOSAT-1 is still active as of July 2005.
Spacecraft
- Weight: 401 kg
- Shape: Hexagonal
- Dimensions
- Height: 2.1 m
- Diameter: 1.1 m
- Solar arrays: Two, 1.16 x 2.46 m
- Electrical power: 450 watts
Instrumentation
- Experimental Communication Payload (ECP)
- Ionosphere Plasma Electrodynamics Instrument (IPEI)
- Ocean Color Imager (OCI)