Introduction to ROCSAT-3 Program

Abstract

ROCSAT-3 Program, also called COSMIC, is a collaboration science project between NSPO in ROC and UCAR in USA through the AIT/TECRO agreement to develop, launch and operate eight LEO micro-satellites to collect atmospheric limb soundings data for space weather monitoring, climate research, and weather prediction. Three payloads on board each satellite are: (1) an advanced occultation Global Position System (GPS) receiver, (2) a Tiny Ionospheric Photometer, and (3) a Tri-band beacon transmitter. The satellites are expected to be launched in late 2002 on a single launch vehicle to a parking orbit around 400km and then raising to a final orbit of 800km with 72-degree inclination angle. On orbit, the satellites will collect 4000 limb soundings per day plus TIP and Triband beacon data. The Ground segment consists of a TT&C and MOCC at Taiwan, two remote stations at Kiruna and Fairbanks, CDAAC and Fiducial Network.