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OrbView 2 (SeaStar)

OrbView 2 [OrbImage]

OrbView 2, also known as SeaStar, is a commercial Earth observation satellite, which operates its SeaWiFS sensor for NASA.

The purpose of the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) Project is to provide quantitative data on global ocean bio-optical properties to the Earth science community. Subtle changes in ocean color signify various types and quantities of marine phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants), the knowledge of which has both scientific and practical applications.

On 11 December 2010, after more than 13 years, the communication with the instrument ceased.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Earth observation
Operator: OrbImage (for NASA) → GeoEye
Contractors: Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC)
Equipment: SeaWiFS
Configuration: PegaStar
Propulsion: ?
Power: 4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: 5 years (planned); 13 years (achieved)
Mass: 309 kg
Orbit: 310 km × 310 km, 98.2° (initially), raised to 700 km × 701 km, 98.22° SSO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
OrbView 2 (SeaStar) 1997-037A 01.08.1997 Va, L-1011, RW30/12 Pegasus-XL

References:

Further OrbView missions:

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