SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS SATELLITE SAC-B

SAC-B is an Argentine-USA satellite designed to advance the study of solar physics and astrophysics through the examination of energetic neutral atoms, solar flares, gamma ray bursts, and diffuse X-ray cosmic background. It carries with it an Italian instrument, ISENA , to measure Energetic Neutral Atoms , with which the Space Plasma Group at RAL is also involved.

SAC-B was Launched at the beginning of November 1996, by a Pegasus rocket, supplied by Orbital from Wallops Island, Virginia ; it will orbit the Earth at 550 km altitude, and 38⁰ inclination.

• Launching SAC-B in Pegasus

• ISENA

• The Scientific Payload

• Energetic Neutral Atoms

• Other Scientific Studies

• SAC-B configuration and telemetry

SAC-B launch at 12:09 pm EST, 4 Nov 96

SAC-B and HETE reached the desired orbit but appear to have failed to separate from the Pegasus third stage. More details are available HERE

Links

• Latest on failure (Penn State University)

• SAC-B brochure in colour ( CONAE Argentina)

• Detailed technical report ( CONAE Argentina)

• ISENA Page at IFSI (Frascati, Italy)

• Photo Gallery at Penn State University

• SAC-B Fact Sheet (NASA)

Return to RAL Solar System Plasmas Homepage

Link to the RAL homepage

For more information contact Dr Manuel Grande at RAL