Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate
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COSMIC
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| Names | Formosat 3 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Meteorology, Ionosphere, Climatology, and Space weather research |
| COSPAR ID | 2006-011A through 2006-011F |
| SATCAT no. | 29047 through 29052 |
| Website | COSMIC at UCAR |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Orbital Sciences Corporation |
| Launch mass | 155 lb (70 kg) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 01:40, April 15, 2006--> |
| Rocket | Minotaur |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Eccentricity | 0 |
| Perigee | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Apogee | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Inclination | 72° |
Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) is a program designed to provide advances in meteorology, ionospheric research, climatology, and space weather by using GPS satellites in conjunction with low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. The term "COSMIC" may refer to either the organization itself or the constellation of satellites (also known as FORMOSAT-3, 福爾摩沙衛星三號, in Taiwan). The constellation is a joint U.S.-Taiwanese project with major participants including the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), the National Science Foundation, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on the U.S. side and the National Space Organization (NSPO) on the Taiwanese side.
The total cost of the project is US$100 million, 80% of which is being provided by NSPO, and the remainder by various U.S. agencies.
After experiencing several delays, the launch of the COSMIC satellite constellation atop a Minotaur launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB occurred at 01:40 GMT, on April 15, 2006, despite heavy fog. The satellites, which orbit at an altitude of 500 miles, required over a year to move into the correct positions to provide full global coverage.
The COSMIC satellites are equipped with three primary forms of instrumentation for remote sensing, including:
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