SARAL

SARAL is a mission born from the collaboration between CNES and ISRO. SARAL was launched in 2013 with the objective of monitoring the ocean surface. For this purpose, SARAL carries two fundamental instruments: a receiver for the ARGO float system (link to ARGO), the ARGOS-3, and the first altimeter operating in Ka band, namely AltiKa. The High frequency of Ka band improves the accuracy in range measurements as well as measurements over ice and coastal areas. SARAL flies in a LEO, Sun-synchronous, polar orbit at 800 km of altitude, and with a repeat cycle of 35 days.

SARAL/AltiKa (Credit: CNES)

AgencyISRO, CNES
Launch date2013-02-25
Data SourceCNES/AVISO
Data VersionSGDR-T
Mass407 kg
Dimensions4.6 m x 2.34 m x 2.20 m

Orbit elements

SARAL
Repeat cycle35 days
Semi major axis7159496 m
Eccentricity0.001165
Start of phase2013-03-12
Revolutions501
Mean Height800 km
List of cyclesLink
SARAL (Drifting Phase)
Repeat cycle35 days
Semi major axis7159496 m
Eccentricity0.001165
Start of phase2013-03-12
Revolutions501
Mean Height800 km
List of cyclesLink

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