SAtélite Argentino de Observación COn Microondas - 1A
Satellite characteristics
Launch Date - End 8 October 2018 -
Status Operational
Orbit type Sun-synchronous
Altitude 620 km
Equatorial crossing time 06:00 asc
Satellite family: SAOCOM (SAtélite Argentino de Observación COn Microondas)
The SAOCOM (Satellites for Observation and Communications) series are Argentina's first Remote Sensing mission carrying instruments on board which operate in the range of microwaves: an L-band full polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and a thermal infrared camera. Given the characteristics of such detectors, this mission opens new and very promising opportunities for agriculture and soil moisture studies but also for the management of emergencies or natural disasters and monitoring of natural resources.
The SAOCOM project includes placing into orbit two satellite constellations: SAOCOM 1 and SAOCOM 2, each constellation composed of two satellites.
The SAOCOM 1-A satellite is being developed by CONAE (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales) in partnership with Belgium and Italy.
Sensor characteristics
| Sensor name | SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) L |
|---|---|
| Sensor short description | Synthetic Aperture Radar (L-band) is a high-resolution all-weather multi-purpose imager for ocean, land (specifically soil moisture) and ice. |
| Sensor type | Imaging microwave radar |
| Resolution class | Medium (30 - 300 m) |
| Spatial resolution | 10 to 100 m, depending on operation mode |
| Spectral bandwidth | L-band SAR, frequency 1.275 GHz. |
| Swath width (at nadir) | 30 to 320 km, depending on operation mode km |
| Max look angle | 15-50° off-nadir ° |