22490 - SCD 1

The Satellite de Coleta de Dados (SCD 1) was an environmental data collection and relay satellite. The primary objective of SCD 1 was to transmit environmental data collected on the ground by automatic Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) located throughout remote regions in Brazil's Amazon River Basin.

The solar-powered satellite relayed data on two adjacent frequencies providing random access service to hundreds of DCPs in remote locations. Data was received at the Cuiaba Ground Station at least once per day. The SCD 1 was 3-axis spin-stabilized and its attitude determined by a magnetometer and sun sensors. A magnetometer coil allowed attitude maneuvers by commands from the ground.

SCD 1 was carried into orbit commercially by the Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) Pegasus rocket launched from a B-52 plane which took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The B-52 dropped the Pegasus 128 Km east of there at 13.258 Km over the Atlantic. Initial orbital parameters were period 99.7 min, apogee 787 km, perigee 722 km, and inclination 24.9 deg.

Alternate Names

Data Collection Satellite 1
Satelite de Coleta de Dados 1

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 1993-02-09
Launch Vehicle: Pegasus
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Mass: 115.0 kg
Nominal Power: 110.0 W