The Mohammed VI satellites are a series of two Moroccan Earth observation and reconnaissance satellites, namely Mohammed VI-A and Mohammed VI-B, developed and built by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space based upon the Astrosat-1000 satellite bus. They are Morocco's first optical imaging satellites, and are operated by Morocco's Ministry of Defense, with an expected service life of 5 years.[4] They are named after Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco.[5]
| Mission type | Earth observation and reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Operator | Government of Morocco |
| COSPAR ID | 2017-070A (A) 2018-095A (B) |
| SATCAT no. | 43005 (A)[1] 43717 (B)[2] |
| Mission duration | 5 years (planned) 6 years, 11 months, 18 days (elapsed; A) 5 years, 11 months, 5 days (elapsed; B) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Mohammed VI-A Mohammed VI-B |
| Spacecraft type | Observation satellite |
| Bus | Astrosat-1000 |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Defence and Space Thales Alenia Space[3] |
| Launch mass | 1,110 kg (2,450 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | November 8, 2017 (A) November 21, 2018 (B) |
| Rocket | Vega |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre ELA-1 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Semi-major axis | 7,106 km (4,415 mi) (A)[1] 7,106 km (4,415 mi) (B)[2] |
| Periapsis altitude | 644.8 km (400.7 mi) (A) 644.6 km (400.5 mi) (B) |
| Apoapsis altitude | 646.5 km (401.7 mi) (A) 646.7 km (401.8 mi) (B) |
| Inclination | 97.9° |
| Period | 97.5 minutes |
Mohammed VI | |
Design
editSatellite bus
editBoth satellites are based on the Astrosat-1000 satellite bus.[5] They have a launch mass of 1,110 kg (2,450 lb) and have three deployable solar arrays, and an expected service life of around 5 years.[6]
Propulsion
editThe satellites have four hydrazine thrusters for reboosting its orbit and keeping its altitude.[6]
Launch
editMohammed VI-A
editThe Mohammed VI-A satellite, Morocco's first spy satellite, was launched on Vega flight VV11 on board the Vega launcher from Guiana Space Centre ELA-1, French Guiana, on November 8, 2017. It was launched to low Earth Sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 97.9°.[1][4]
Mohammed VI-B
editThe Mohammed VI-B satellite, Morocco's second spy satellite, was launched a year later on Vega flight VV14 from Guiana Space Centre ELA-1, French Guiana, on November 28, 2018. It was launched to Low Earth Sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 97.9°.[2][5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Technical details for satellite MOHAMMED VI-A". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ a b c "Technical details for satellite MOHAMMED VI-B". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ "Mohammed VI A, B (MN35-13)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ a b "Moroccan Image Reconnaissance Satellite Sent into Orbit by European Vega Rocket – Vega VV11 | Spaceflight101". 8 November 2017. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ a b c Clark, Stephen. "Moroccan spy satellite launched aboard Vega rocket – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ a b "Mohammed VI A, B (MN35-13)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2021-12-08.