Engineering:COSMO-1

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Short description: Imaging satellite
COSMO-1
NamesCOSMO-SkyMed 1
Mission typeRadar imaging
OperatorASI / MDD
COSPAR ID2007-023A
SATCAT no.31598
Mission duration5 years (planned)
17 years, 1 month and 7 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCOSMO-SkyMed 1
BusPRIMA
ManufacturerThales Alenia Space
Launch mass1,700 kg (3,700 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date8 June 2007, 02:34:00 UTC
RocketDelta II 7420-10C (D324)
Launch siteVandenberg, SLC-2W
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Entered service2007
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit
Perigee altitude628.7 km (390.7 mi)
Apogee altitude630.7 km (391.9 mi)
Inclination97.88°
Period97.16 minutes
 

COSMO-1 or COSMO-SkyMed 1 is an Italian radar imaging satellite. Launched in 2007, it was the first of four COSMO-SkyMed satellites to be placed into orbit. The spacecraft is operated by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), in conjunction with Italy's Ministry of Defence. It uses synthetic-aperture radar to produce images for civilian, commercial and military purposes.[2]

Spacecraft description

COSMO-1 was constructed by Thales Alenia Space, based on the PRIMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa) satellite bus.[3] It was the first PRIMA-based spacecraft to be launched.[4] Designed for a five-year mission.[5]

Launch

ASI awarded Boeing a contract to launch COSMO-1, with the launch being subcontracted to United Launch Alliance when it was formed to take over Delta launch operations. The launch took place at 02:34:00 UTC on 8 June 2007. A Delta II launch vehicle in the 7420-10C configuration, flight number Delta 324, lifted off from SLC-2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, successfully injecting the satellite into low Earth orbit. Spacecraft separation occurred 58 minutes and 5 seconds after liftoff.[6]

Mission

The satellite operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit. An orbit with a perigee of 629 km (391 mi), an apogee of 631 km (392 mi), inclined at 97.88° to the equator. It has an orbital period of 97.16 minutes.[1]

References