RAPIDEYE 2, RAPIDEYE 5, RAPIDEYE 1, RAPIDEYE 3, and RAPIDEYE 4, are the first five mini-satellites of the German RapidEye AG corporation that were launched by a Dnepr rocket from Baikonur at 07:16 UT on 2008 August 29. The identical 150-kg satellites are triaxially-stabilized, using magnetorquers for attitude changes. Each will capture multi-wavelength images in five bands covering 400-850 nm. The 6.5-m resolution images will be sold to agricultural, forestry, and town-planning enterprises. The initial orbital parameters of all five were similar: period 97 min, apogee 609 km, perigee 585 km, and inclination 98.0 deg.
Alternate Names
Mati, Chroma, Tachys, Trochia, Choros
RapidEye A, B, C, D, E
Facts in Brief
Launch Date: 2008-08-29
Launch Vehicle: Dnepr
Launch Site: Tyuratam (Baikonur Cosmodrome), Kazakhstan