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CFOSAT: the end of the Commissioning Phase
Since it was successfully launched on October 29th, 2018, CFOSAT satellite, SWIM and SCAT instruments have been tested and validated during the Commissioning Phase that ended few days ago.
The French-Chinese satellite CFOSAT was successfully launched on October 29th (see our dedicated news). Throughout this last month, the Commissioning Phase took place with initial calibration and validation aimed at assessing the good functionality of the instruments, the final orbit and the first steps of the ground segment: reception and processing of satellite telemetry from the stations network.
The first period of the Commissioning Phase started just after launch with the switch on of the instruments. Only a few days after the launch, the SWIM status was nominal with great results for the first wave products evidencing SWIM perfect behaviour. On the Chinese side, the SCAT scatterometer dedicated to the ocean surface wind measurements was also operational and works properly (see our dedicated news).
The operational orbit was quickly reached three days after the launch. Periodic station keeping maneuvers will take place to maintain the orbit close to its reference orbit and nominal tracks.
The reception and processing of satellite telemetry data from Chinese and French sides have also been successfully tested and validated.
The Commissioning Phase ended with these promising results, the Calibration/Validation phase is starting now where the data are available for scientific experts (represented in France by LATMOS, Ifremer/LOPS and marine forecasters and oceanographers at Météo-France).
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Schema of the different development phases from the CFOSAT launch and up to the routine phase in Summer 2019. Credits CNES. |
Further information:
- Missions : CFOSAT
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