Oceansat
Indian class of oceanography satellites
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oceansat is a series of Earth observation satellites built, launched, and operated by Indian Space Research Organisation, and dedicated to oceanography and atmospheric studies. Oceansat satellites facilitate a range of applications including documenting chlorophyll concentration, phytoplankton blooms, atmospheric aerosols and particulate matter[1] as well as marine weather forecast to predict cyclones.[2]
| Manufacturer | ISRO |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | India |
| Operator | ISRO |
| Applications | Oceanographic studies |
| Specifications | |
| Bus | IRS |
| Launch mass | ~1,000 kg (2,200 lb) |
| Equipment | Ocean Colour Monitor Pencil beam scatterometer Microwave radiometer Radio Occultation Sounder for Atmosphere |
| Regime | SSO |
| Production | |
| Status | Operational |
| Launched | 4 (including 1 continuity support mission) |
| Operational | 3 (including 1 continuity support mission) |
| Retired | 1 |
| Maiden launch | Oceansat-1 (1999) |
| Last launch | Oceansat-3 (2022) |
Satellites
Oceansat-1
OceanSat-1 was the first Indian satellite built specifically for oceanographic applications. The satellite carried an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and a multi-frequency scanning microwave radiometer.[3] Oceansat-1 was launched on board a PSLV rocket on 26 May 1999.[4]
It was capable of detecting eight spectrums ranging from 400 nm to 885 nm, all in the visible or near infrared spectrums.[5] The second, the Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer, collects data by measuring microwave radiation passing through the atmosphere over the ocean.[6] This offers information including sea surface temperature, wind speed, cloud water content, and water vapour content.[1][6]
Although initially launched with a lifespan of 5 years, Oceansat-1 completed its mission on August 8, 2010, after serving for 11 years and 2 months.
Oceansat-2
Oceansat-2 is designed to provide service continuity for operational users of the Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) instrument on Oceansat-1 and enhance the potential of applications in other areas.[7]
A swath width of 1420 km is provided. An along-track instrument tilt capability of ±20º is provided to avoid sun glint.[8]
Satellite was launched aboard a PSLV-CA on 23 September 2009.[9]
SCATSAT-1
SCATSAT-1 was launched in 2016[10] after SCAT (Scanning scatterometer) on Oceansat-2 became dysfunctional after its life span of four-and-a-half years. SCATSAT carries a Ku-band scatterometer similar to the one on Oceansat-2.[11]
Oceansat-3
Oceansat-3 was launched on 26 November 2022,[12] Oceansat-3 will provide continuity to operators of OCM and enhanced ability in other applications by way of simultaneous Sea Surface Temperature (SST) measurements.[13][14] As of March 2021, ISRO and CNES completed interface control document to accommodate Argos in Oceansat-3.[15]
List of Oceansat Satellites
| Designation | COSPAR ID | NORAD ID | Power | Launch date, Time (UTC) | Launch mass | Launch vehicle | Launch site | Status | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceansat-1/IRS-P4 | 1999-029C | 25758 | 750 W | 26 May 1999, 06:22:00 | 1,036 kg (2,284 lb) | PSLV-G C2 | FLP, SDSC | Retired | Completed a life a span more than double of planned. |
| Oceansat-2 | 2009-051A | 35931 | 23 September 2009, 06:21 | 960 kg (2,120 lb) | PSLV-CA C14 | SLP, SDSC | Operational | Tilt ability up to 20 degrees | |
| SCATSAT-1 | 2016-059H | 41790 | 26 September 2016, 03:42 | 371 kg (818 lb) | PSLV-G C35 | FLP, SDSC | Retired | Continuity mission after SCAT on Oceansat-2 got dysfunctional | |
| Oceansat-3/EOS-06 | 2022-158A | 54361 | 26 November 2022, 06:26 | 1,117 kg (2,463 lb) | PSLV-XL C54 | FLP, SDSC | Operational | ||
| EOS-10 (Oceansat-3A) | Q1 2026 | PSLV-XL N1 | SDSC | Planned |