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. 

  

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Earth observing
Operator: OrbImage (for NASA) -> GeoEye
Contractors: Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC)
Equipment: SeaWiFS
Configuration: PegaStar
Propulsion: ?
Lifetime: 5 years
Mass: 309 kg
Orbit: 310 km x 310 km, 98.2° (initially), raised to 700 km x 701 km, 98.22° SSO

 

Satellite Date LS   Launcher Remarks:
OrbView 2 (SeaStar) 01.08.1997 Va, L-1011, RW30/12 Pegasus-XL

  

Further OrbView missions:

Last update: 27.09.2009
Contact: gunter.krebs@skyrocket.de
© Gunter Dirk Krebs