Formosat-1
Formosat-1 is an Earth observation satellite operated by the National Space Program Office of the Republic of China 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, US, by Lockheed Martin on January 27, 1999.
FormoSat-1 provided 5½ years of operational service. The spacecraft ended its mission on June 17, 2004 and was decommissioned on July 16, 2004.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
- Ionosphere Plasma Electrodynamics Instrument
- Ocean Color Imager
Orbit
- Altitude: 600 km
- Type: Circular
- Inclination: 35 degrees