EROS B
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 EROS-B satellite in deployed configuration | |
| Names | Earth Resources Observation Systems-B |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Earth observation |
| Operator | ImageSat International |
| COSPAR ID | 2006-014A |
| SATCAT no. | 29079 |
| Website | https://www.imagesatintl.com/ |
| Mission duration | 10 years (planned) 19 years, 9 months and 16 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | EROS-B |
| Spacecraft type | EROS-A |
| Bus | OPSAT-2000 |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries |
| Launch mass | 350 kg (770 lb) |
| Dimensions | 2.3 m in height 1.2 m in diameter Span: 4 m on orbit |
| Power | 800 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 25 April 2006, 16:47:16 UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Start-1 |
| Launch site | Svobodny Cosmodrome, Launch Complex-5 |
| Contractor | Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 5 February 2026 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[2] |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 506 km (314 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 524 km (326 mi) |
| Inclination | 97.45° |
| Period | 94.79 minutes |
The Earth Remote Observation System-B (EROS-B) is the second satellite launched in a series of the EROS family of Israeli commercial Earth observation satellites, designed and manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).[3] It is owned and operated by ImageSat International N.V. (ISI), in the Netherlands Antilles, Cayman Islands, with offices in Limassol, Cyprus, and in Tel Aviv, Israel.[4]
ImageSat International announced that it had begun construction of "EROS B", a day before the launch of "EROS A". According to the plan, the launch of the "EROS B" was to take place in 2001, after which another 6 satellites in the series were planned. In July 2000, the company announced the completion of a capital raising of more than $90 million. A year later, it signed a $70 million credit agreement with Bank Leumi to finance the further development of the satellite series, and announced that the launch of the second satellite had been postponed to 2003.[5] On July 28, 2001, IAI officially signed an agreement with ImageSat International to build the $110 million EROS B satellite. However the project was delayed due to difficulties in signing enough commercial customers to meet the financial costs.[6]
Control systems
The satellite is 2.3 m in height and 1.2 m in diameter. It weighed 350 kg at launch. The design of the satellite is based on the military reconnaissance satellite Ofeq-3, which was previously built, also by Israel Aerospace Industries for Israeli government use. ImageSat International estimates the satellite will work 14 years.[2]
The satellite is equipped with a 3-axis stabilized and a four reaction wheels actuator. The satellite is also equipped with a star tracker, horizon sensor, Sun sensor, gyroscope and magnetometer for altitude determination.[7]
Ground communication systems
The satellite is equipped with an imagery link four times faster than the EROS-A at 280 Mbit/s, a 15 kbit/s maintenance downlink, and a 15 kbit/s command uplink.[8]
Launch
The EROS-B was launched on 25 April 2006, at 16:47:16 UTC[1] from Svobodny Cosmodrome, Launch Complex-5 in eastern Siberia.[9]
3 days after the launch, ImageSat International announced that the satellite had begun sending images from space.[10]
