Ørsted (satellite)
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| Organization | Danish Meteorological Institute |
|---|---|
| Contractor | Computer Resources International (CRI) |
| Mission Type | earth observation |
| Satellite of | Earth |
| Launch | February 23, 1999 on Delta II 7920 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg AFB |
| Mission duration | 5 years |
| Mass | 61 kg (launch), 50 kg (dry) |
| Webpage | web.dmi.dk/fsweb/projects/oersted/ |
| Orbital elements | |
| Semimajor Axis | 7118.29 km |
| Eccentricity | .0142 |
| Inclination | 96.4798 |
| Orbital Period | 100 minutes (decreasing slowly) |
| Right ascension of the ascending node | 106.5 degrees |
| Argument of perigee | 278.37 degrees |
Ørsted is Denmark's first satellite, named after Hans Christian Ørsted (1777-1851) a Danish physicist and professor at the University of Copenhagen. It is in a sun synchronous Low Earth orbit.
[edit] Mission Objectives
The main scientific objective of the spacecraft was to map the Earth's magnetic field and collect data to determine the changes occurring in the field.
[edit] Instruments
Three sensors are situated at the end of an 8 meter boom so disturbance from the satellite's electrical systems is minimal:
- CSC flux-gate Magnetometer, used to measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field.
- Star Imager, used to determine the orientation of both the satellite and the CSC Magnetometer.
- OverhauserMagnetometer, used to measure the strength of the magnetic field but not the direction.
The other two instruments are located in the main body of the satellite:
- Particle Detectors, used to measure the flux of fast electrons, protons and alpha particles around the satellite.
- Turbo-Rogue GPS Receiver, used to accurately determine the satellite's position; can also be used to monitor the atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity beneath the satellite.
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