Satelites de Coleta de Dados

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The Satelites de Coleta de Dados ( Portuguese for “satellites for collecting data”) or SCD are a series of Brazilian research satellites manufactured by INPE and still in service today. So far only two satellites have been successfully launched.

Equipment and operation

The SCD satellites are equipped to collect and transmit meteorological and ecological data collected by automatic platforms (PCD) installed on land or on oceanic buoys. The data is forwarded to one or more ground stations. They are operated with batteries and solar cells.

The satellites

  • SCD-1: The INPE's first satellite was launched in February 1993 with a Pegasus rocket under an L-1011 . The estimated lifespan of one year has long been exceeded. He gathered valuable information for meteorology. It was also the very first satellite in Brazil.
  • SCD-2: It is a follow-up satellite with the same objectives as SCD-1 but with improved data acquisition performance due to modifications in the antenna and attitude control subsystems. It is also a spin stabilized spacecraft with the now actively controlled spin rate (in the range of 32 to 36 min −1 ) with two magnetic torque coils . The new posture system of SCD-2 allows to eliminate the receiving antennas on the spacecraft floor plate. There are only four UHF monopoles on the top. The onboard data processing system was modernized. All functions are now carried out by a single OBC (onboard computer). The satellite was launched in October 1998 with a Pegasus-H. He is currently working with SCD-1.
  • SCD-2A: This is an identical satellite to SCD-2, but it was lost on the VLS-1's maiden flight in November 1997 due to a booster failure.
  • SCD-3: SCD-3 was a new design to be launched into higher orbit to increase the area covered by the satellite. This mission was canceled due to cost reasons.

Web links

  1. Site of the manufacturer: http://www.inpe.br/
  2. PLATAFORMA DE COLETA DE DADOS (PDF, Portuguese)