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| SARAL in its orbit : Image by ISRO |
SARAL or Satellite with ARgos and ALtiKa is a cooperative altimetry technology mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and CNES (Space Agency of France). The ISRO built satellite with payloads modules (AltiKa altimeter, DORIS, Laser Retro reflector Array (LRA) and ARGOS-3 (Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite) data collection system provided CNES will be launched by Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket into the Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). ISRO will be responsible for the platform, launch, and operations of the spacecraft. A CNES/ISRO MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the SARAL mission was signed on Feb. 23, 2007.
The SARAL satellite, carrying AltiKa and an Argos-3 instrument 2, is scheduled to be launched on 25 February 2013.
At about 781km above the earth surface, It orbit around earth with velocity 25,000 km/hr. It orbits 15 times a day around earth .
Along with the SARAL, Australia, Denmark and Britain satellites with total 7 satellites will be launched on 25 February 2013, With Launching Vehicle as PSLV C-20 Vehicle(230 ton)
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| SARAL Image Credi : Wikipedia |