Parasol Is Preparing To Enter A-Train Space Observatory

MICROSAT BLITZ

Illustration of Parasol, the second-up in the Myriade microsatellite series.

Toulouse, France (SPX) Oct 25, 2004
Following the Demeter satellite in June, Parasol, the second-up in the Myriade microsatellite series, is preparing for launch. Parasol satellite (Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar) will study the impact of aerosols and how they interact with clouds to give scientists a better understanding of Earth's climate system.

Operating in formation with 5 other satellites, Parasol will be one component of the orbital observatory "A-Train" designed to probe the atmosphere from every angle heralding exciting times ahead for climate researchers. The Parasol payload draws extensively on the heritage of the POLDER instrument.

This formation of 6 satellites will be able to observe the same atmospheric phenomena within minutes of each other, looking at different physical characteristics. After separation from the launcher, Parasol will manoeuvre under its own thrust to join its companion satellites: NASA Aqua and NASA Aura, already in orbit, and Calipso, CloudSat and OCO, to be launched in sequence from 2005 onwards.

The satellites will be like the carriages of a train, trailing each other by a few minutes or seconds (just 15 minutes between the lead satellite and the last in the train). Parasol is currently undergoing final tests in Toulouse, France. The launch will take place in Kourou, French Guiana in December.

Parasol is a satellite that definitely likes company, since the Ariane 5 launch will also be lofting 5 other passengers. Sitting on the launch adaptor with its co-passengers, Parasol will be the last to be injected into near-circular orbit at an altitude of 705 km.

CNES will perform positioning operations for all 6 satellites: the Helios IIA military satellite, to be positioned with respect to its predecessor Helios IB; the 4 microsatellites in the Essaim formation; and Parasol in the A-train. An unprecedented, ultra-precise orbital dance choreographed by operations teams.

MICROSAT BLITZ

Proba: The Smart Satellite That Runs Itself

Paris (ESA) Oct 25, 2004
ESA's first microsat has completed three years of successful operations. The size of a large television set, Proba was launched to demonstrate new technologies for future European spacecraft, but continues to provide fantastic images of Earth.

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