VesselSat-2

Last updated
VesselSat-2
Mission typeShip tracking
Operator LuxSpace (lessor)
Orbcomm (operator)
COSPAR ID 2012-001B
SATCAT no. 38047
Mission durationPlanned: 3 years
Achieved: 4 years
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer LuxSpace
Launch mass29 kilograms (64 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date9 January 2012, 03:17 (2012-01-09UTC03:17Z) UTC
Rocket Chang Zheng 4B Y26
Launch site Taiyuan LC-9
End of mission
Last contactJanuary 2016 (2016-02) [1]
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Perigee altitude 472 kilometres (293 mi)
Apogee altitude 484 kilometres (301 mi)
Inclination 97.43 degrees
Period 94.02 minutes
Epoch 31 October 2013, 18:34:19 UTC [2]
 

VesselSat-2 (aka Orbcomm FM43, V2) was a Luxembourgian microsatellite built and owned by LuxSpace, and operated by Orbcomm under lease. It carried a receiver for Automatic Identification System signals, used to track ships at sea. VesselSat-2 was the second of two VesselSat spacecraft (see VesselSat-1), which were built by LuxSpace for Orbcomm, as replacements for the AIS capabilities of the failed Orbcomm-QL spacecraft. [1]

VesselSat-2 was launched as a secondary payload on a Long March 4B carrier rocket which was carrying Ziyuan 3. The launch occurred at 03:17 UTC on 9 January 2012, [3] from Launch Complex 9 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, and was the first orbital launch of the year. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter. "VesselSat 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  2. "VESSELSAT 2 Satellite details 2012-001B NORAD 38047". N2YO. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  3. 中国成功发射首颗高精度立体测绘卫星"资源三号" (in Chinese). ChinaNews.com. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  4. Barbosa, Rui C. (8 January 2012). "China opens 2012 with ZiYuan-3 launch via Long March 4B". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 9 January 2012.