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The COSMIC constellation of six satellites was launched successfully from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 6:40 p.m. PDT (9:40 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 14, 2006. Ground stations have received signals from all six satellites.
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The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC
Space Segment consists of a constellation of 6 micro-satellites,
each weighing less than 70 kg (~110lb). Each satellite takes independent
science measurements at all times during the orbit. In concert, all
6 satellites provide global coverage of science data, on a daily basis.
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The
FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC Ground Segment Consists of three
ground stations and a Multiple Mission Center (MMC).
Of the three stations, one each is located in Fairbanks (Alaska), Kiruna
(Sweden), and Taiwan. The MMC is located at the NSPO facility in Taiwan
as well. The MMC is where the satellites will be monitored and controlled.
All three stations are used to downlink science & telemetry data
from the satellites to the ground. From these stations the data is then
distributed around the world to the data centers. |
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All
science and some telemetry data is sent to the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC
Data Centers (aka Payload Operations Centers). There are two of
these centers, one each located in Taiwan and Boulder (Colorado). These
centers are responsible for analyzing the received data and providing
it to the principal investigators and the science community. |
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