The PARASOL spacecraft of CNES (launch on Dec. The objective is to coordinate observations and to provide a coincident set of data on aerosol and cloud properties, radiative fluxes and atmospheric state essential for accurate quantification of aerosol and cloud radiative effects. The Aqua spacecraft is part of the “A-train” (Aqua in the lead and Aura at the tail, the nominal separation between Aqua and Aura is about 15 minutes) or “afternoon constellation” (a loose formation flight which started sometime after the Aura launch July 15, 2004). Orbit: Sun-synchronous circular orbit, altitude = 705 km (nominal), inclination = 98.2º, local equator crossing at 13:30 (1:30 PM) on ascending node, period = 98.8 minutes, the repeat cycle is 16 days (233 orbits). Like the Terra mission, Aqua provides various means of payload data downlinks, among them Direct Broadcast (DB). All communications are based on CCSDS protocols. RF communications: X-band, S-band (TDRSS and Deep Space Network/Ground Network compatible). The design life is six years.įigure 2: The Aqua spacecraft in launch preparation at VAFB (image credit: NASA) Propulsion: hydrazine blow-down system 4 pairs of thrusters. Aqua is three-axis stabilized, with a total mass of 2,934 kg at launch, S/C mass of 1,750 kg, payload mass =1,082 kg, propellant mass = 102 kg power = 4.86 kW (EOL). The satellite dimensions are: 2.68 m x 2.47 m x 6.49 m (stowed) and 4.81 m x 16.70 m x 8.04 m (deployed). The Aqua spacecraft is based on TRW's modular, standardized AB1200 bus design (also referred to as T-330 platform) with common subsystems (Note: Northrop Grumman purchased TRW in Dec. The data sets of Aqua provide information on cloud formation, precipitation, and radiative properties, air-sea fluxes of energy, carbon, and moisture (AIRS, AMSU, AMSR-E, HSB, CERES, MODIS) and sea ice concentrations and extents (AMSR-E).įigure 1: Illustration of the Aqua satellite (image credit: NASA) The focus of the Aqua mission is the multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's water cycle, including the interrelated processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to Earth system changes.
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The Aqua mission is part of NASA's ESE (Earth Science Enterprise) program.
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NASA renamed the EOS/PM-1 satellite to Aqua on Oct.
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Aqua was formerly named EOS/PM-1, signifying its afternoon equatorial crossing time. The Aqua mission is a part of the NASA's international Earth Observing System (EOS).