UK-DMC 2

UK-DMC 2
Mission typeOptical imaging
Disaster monitoring
OperatorBNSC (2009-2010)[1]
UKSA (2010)
DMC International Imaging
COSPAR ID2009-041C[2]
SATCAT no.35683
Mission duration5 years (expected)
Spacecraft properties
BusSSTL-100
ManufacturerSSTL
Launch mass120 kilograms (260 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date29 July 2009, 18:46:29 (2009-07-29UTC18:46:29Z) UTC[3]
RocketDnepr
Launch siteBaikonur 109/95
ContractorKosmotras
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeSun-synchronous
Perigee altitude665 kilometres (413 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude667 kilometres (414 mi)[4]
Inclination97.95 degrees[4]
Period97.92 minutes[4]
Epoch25 January 2015, 04:51:21 UTC[4]

UK-DMC 2 is a British Earth imaging satellite which is operated by DMC International Imaging.[5] It was constructed by Surrey Satellite Technology, based on the SSTL-100 satellite bus.[1][5] It is part of Britain's contribution to the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, which is coordinated by DMC International Imaging. It is the successor to the UK-DMC satellite.

Mission

UK DMC-2 was launched into a Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit. The launch was conducted by ISC Kosmotras, using a Dnepr carrier rocket, with DubaiSat-1 being the primary payload. UK-DMC 2, along with the Deimos-1, Nanosat 1B, AprizeSat-3 and AprizeSat-4 satellites, were the rocket's secondary payload. The launch occurred at 18:46 GMT on 29 July 2009, with the rocket lifting off from Site 109/95 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The satellite has a mass of 120 kilograms (260 lb)[1] and a design life of five years. It carries a multi-spectral imager with a resolution of 22 metres (72 ft) and 660 kilometres (410 mi) of swath,[6] operating in green, red and near infrared spectra.

The satellite is also known as Blue Peter 1, and its construction and launch were followed by children's television.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "UK-DMC 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  2. ^ "CelesTrak SATCAT: 2009-041".
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e "DMC 2 Satellite details 2009-041C NORAD 35683". N2YO. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  5. ^ a b DMCii. "DMCii Newsletter" (PDF). DMCii. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
  6. ^ SSTL Mission Page
  7. ^ Kids in Space, NERC press release, 31 July 2009.

Kids in Space from The National Archive

See also


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