Aquarius

 2011-024A

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NASA/CONAE Aquarius/SAC-D satellite launch by Delta for measurements of sea surface salinity, makes 0.2 psu global salinity maps every month. Bus is SAC-C derived. Oct cyl + 2 panels + dish, 3 x 6 x 4m. Managed by JPL; after commissioning, the Aquarius radiometer will be managed by GSFC. PI is Gary Lagerloef, Earth and Space Research (ESR/Seattle); SAC-D PI is Sandra Torrusio of CONAE.

Launch by Delta 7320-10C from VAFB. Control from Tabanera Space Center in Cordoba province. 1642 kg (launch configuration of 2.74 m x 4.85 m)

Date	Time	Event	Orbit
2011 Jun 10	1420:13	Launch by Delta 7320-10C	VAFB SLC2W
		T+1:04 SRM burnout
		T+1:39 SRM sep
		T+4:24 MECO
		T+4:32 Stage 1 sep
	1424	T+4:38 SES-1
		T+4:50 Fairing, 130 km
	1431	T+11:16 SECO-1	157 x 669
	1512	T+52:19 SES-2
	1512	T+52:32 SECO-2
	1516	T+56:42 Stage 2 sep
		T+1:26:40 SES-3 evasive
		T+1:25:45 SECO-3
		T+1:43:20 SES-4 depletion
		T+1:43:42 SECO-4
2011 Jul 4		T+25d deploy reflector
2015 Jun 7		end of ops

Payload:

• Aquarius L-band 1.26GHz scatterometer/1.41 GHz radiometer (JPL/ESR/GSFC/Lagerloef)

• MWR Microwave radiometer (CONAE/IAR/)