Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is trying to conduct a ‘highly challenging’ test of controlled re-entry of a decommissioned orbiting satellite – Megha-Tropix-1 (MT1).
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is trying to conduct a ‘highly challenging’ test of controlled re-entry of a decommissioned orbiting satellite – Megha-Tropix-1 (MT1).
Here is a detailed account of the satellite disaster
Here is a detailed account of the satellite disaster
What is Megha-Tropix-1?
Megha-Tropiques-1 (MT1) was launched on 12 October 12 as a joint satellite of ISRO and the French space agency, CNES, for tropical weather and climate research.
What is Megha-Tropix-1?
Megha-Tropiques-1 (MT1) was launched on 12 October 12 as a joint satellite of ISRO and the French space agency, CNES, for tropical weather and climate research.
“Although the satellite’s mission life was originally 3 years, the satellite continues to provide valuable data services for more than a decade, supporting regional and global climate models through 2021.” ISRO mentioned in an official statement.
“Although the satellite’s mission life was originally 3 years, the satellite continues to provide valuable data services for more than a decade, supporting regional and global climate models through 2021.” ISRO mentioned in an official statement.
Megha means ‘cloud’ in Sanskrit and Tropics means ‘tropical’ in French.
Megha means ‘cloud’ in Sanskrit and Tropics means ‘tropical’ in French.
Where will Megha-Tropix-1 crash?
ISRO has carried out 18 orbital maneuvers since August 2022 to gradually reduce the orbit of the defunct spacecraft.
Where will Megha-Tropix-1 crash?
ISRO has carried out 18 orbital maneuvers since August 2022 to gradually reduce the orbit of the defunct spacecraft.
Between de-orbiting, aero-breaking studies were also conducted at different solar panel orientations to gain better insight into the physical mechanisms of atmospheric drag affecting satellite orbital decay.
Between de-orbiting, aero-breaking studies were also conducted at different solar panel orientations to gain better insight into the physical mechanisms of atmospheric drag affecting satellite orbital decay.
An uninhabited area of the Pacific Ocean between latitudes 5°S to 14°S and longitudes 119°W to 100°W was identified as the target re-entry zone for MT1, weighing approximately 1000 kg. Around 125 kg of on-board fuel remained unused at the end of the mission which could pose a risk of accidental separation, an ISRO statement noted.
An uninhabited area of the Pacific Ocean between latitudes 5°S to 14°S and longitudes 119°W to 100°W was identified as the target re-entry zone for MT1, weighing approximately 1000 kg. Around 125 kg of on-board fuel remained unused at the end of the mission which could pose a risk of accidental separation, an ISRO statement noted.
This residual fuel was estimated to be sufficient to achieve a fully controlled atmospheric re-entry to affect uninhabited locations in the Pacific Ocean.
This residual fuel was estimated to be sufficient to achieve a fully controlled atmospheric re-entry to affect uninhabited locations in the Pacific Ocean.
When will the Megha-Tropix-1 accident happen?
The final two D-boost burns and ground impact are expected to occur between 4:30-7:30 pm Tuesday.
When will the Megha-Tropix-1 accident happen?
The final two D-boost burns and ground impact are expected to occur between 4:30-7:30 pm Tuesday.
“Aero-thermal simulations show that no large pieces of the satellite are likely to survive aerothermal heating during re-entry.” ISRO mentioned.
“Aero-thermal simulations show that no large pieces of the satellite are likely to survive aerothermal heating during re-entry.” ISRO mentioned.
Why is ISRO crashing Megha-Tropix-1?
ISRO is dismantling the satellite as part of its commitment to the United Nations Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (UNIADC) after the end of the mission’s life. UN guidelines state that the satellite should be deorbited at the end of its life, preferably by controlled re-entry into a safe impact zone, or brought into an orbit where the orbital lifetime is less than 25 years.
Why is ISRO crashing Megha-Tropix-1?
ISRO is dismantling the satellite as part of its commitment to the United Nations Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (UNIADC) after the end of the mission’s life. UN guidelines state that the satellite should be deorbited at the end of its life, preferably by controlled re-entry into a safe impact zone, or brought into an orbit where the orbital lifetime is less than 25 years.
The other option was to leave it in its orbit as it continued to decay. However, in that case, the orbital lifetime of MT1, weighing about 1000 kg, would be more than 100 years in an operational orbit inclined at 20 degrees at an altitude of 867 km. The spacecraft still has about 125 kg of onboard fuel that could pose a risk of accidental separation, making it important for ISRO to orbit it.
The other option was to leave it in its orbit as it continued to decay. However, in that case, the orbital lifetime of MT1, weighing about 1000 kg, would be more than 100 years in an operational orbit inclined at 20 degrees at an altitude of 867 km. The spacecraft still has about 125 kg of onboard fuel that could pose a risk of accidental separation, making it important for ISRO to orbit it.
The UN/IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee) Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines recommend deorbiting a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) object at its end of life (EOL), preferably by controlled re-entry into a safe impact zone, or bringing it into an orbit where Orbital lifetime is less than 25 years, according to ISRO. “Passivation” of on-board power sources is also recommended to reduce the risk of post-mission accidental break-up.
The UN/IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee) Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines recommend deorbiting a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) object at its end of life (EOL), preferably by controlled re-entry into a safe impact zone, or bringing it into an orbit where Orbital lifetime is less than 25 years, according to ISRO. “Passivation” of on-board power sources is also recommended to reduce the risk of post-mission accidental break-up.
