RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil is about to launch the first Earth observation satellite entirely designed, integrated, tested and operated by the country. The Amazonia-1 will be launched at 1:54 AM (Brasília time) on February 28th on the PSLV-C51 mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
With 6 kilometers of wiring and 14,000 electrical connections, the satellite is part of the Amazon Mission, whose aim is to “supply remote sensing data to observe and monitor deforestation, particularly in the Amazon region,” as well as to monitor agriculture in the country.
It is a sun-synchronous (polar) orbit satellite, which will provide images of the planet every five days. On demand, it can supply data from a specific point in 2 days – which, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), will help in the inspection of areas being deforested, as well as in capturing images where there is a greater occurrence of clouds.
According to the institute, the new satellite will also enable the monitoring of coastal regions, water reservoirs and forests (natural and planted). It can also be used to monitor potential environmental disasters.
“The data will be available both to the scientific community and government agencies and to users interested in a better understanding of the Earth’s environment,” says INPE. The Amazonia-1 will be the third Brazilian remote sensing satellite in operation. The first two are the CBERS-4 and the CBERS-4A.
The Amazon Mission plans to launch two more remote sensing satellites: the Amazonia-1B and the Amazonia-2. “The Amazonia series satellites will consist of two independent modules: a service module – the Multimission Platform (PMM) – and a payload module, which includes cameras and equipment for recording and transmitting image data,” says INPE.
Multimission Platform
In addition to helping monitor the environment, the mission will help confirm the Multimission Platform as a modular base for various types of satellites. This platform represents “a modern concept of satellite architecture, which aims to combine in a single platform all the equipment that perform tasks essential to the survival of a satellite, independently of the type of orbit,” according to INPE.
Among the tasks performed by the platform are power generation, thermal control, data management, and service telecommunication – which will enable adaptation to different payloads, as well as reduce costs and timelines in the development of new missions.
“This global capability in systems engineering and project management places the country at a new scientific and technological level for space missions. After the launch of the Amazonia-1 satellite and the in-flight validation of PMM, Brazil will have mastered the manufacturing life cycle of space systems for satellites stabilized on three axes,” reports INPE.
Among the technological benefits the mission should yield for the country, in addition to the confirmation of the PMM, INPE highlights the consolidation of the country’s expertise in the complete satellite development cycle; the development by Brazilian industry of mechanisms for opening solar panels, the development of the attitude and orbit control subsystem propulsion by the domestic industry, and the consolidation of knowledge in the campaign for launching more complex satellites.
Source: Agencia Brasil