25941 - SACI 1

CBERS 1 and SACI 1 are Brazillian satellites that were launched by a Long March 4B rocket from Taiyuan Launch Center in central China (PRC) at 11:16 a.m., Beijing time (08:16 UT ?). The 1,540-kg CBERS 1 (China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) carries three high-resolution cameras to monitor environmental and vegetation conditions in China, Brazil and other countries. (Sometimes CBERS 1 is named as ZY 1 in Chinese reports. It was jointly financed by both governments.)

SACI 1 is a microsatellite of 60 kg that will monitor cosmic rays, magnetic field, and plasma. At least one more SACI will be launched soon, probably by a Brazilian rocket, from Brazil. However, soon after launch communication to/from SACI 1 failed, and remains so. Initial orbital parameters of both were, approximately, period 99.6 min, apogee 745 km, and perigee 733 km, and inclination 98.6 deg.

Alternate Names

SJ 3
Shijian 3

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 1999-10-14
Launch Vehicle: Long March 4B
Launch Site: Taiyuan, Peoples Republic of China