Satellites

CBERS-1, 2 and 2B  |  CBERS-3 and 4

CBERS-1

The first satellite to be developed, CBERS-1, was launched with great success by the Chinese Long March 4B launcher, from the Taiyuan Launch Base, on Oct. 14, 1999. Launch occurred at 1:15 AM (Brasilia local time).

Two modules compose the satellite. The first one is the payload module, where 3 cameras are located (CCD Camera, IRMSS Camera and WFI Camera) and a Transponder for the Brazilian Environmental Data Collection System. The second one is the service module, containing the equipment for power supply, control, telecommunications and remaining functions necessary to the satellite operation.

Its orbit is Helios-synchronous, at a 778 km altitude. It performs about 14 revolutions a day and obtains a complete coverage of the Earth in 26 days.

CBERS-2

CBERS-2 is technically identical to CBERS-1. The second satellite developed jointly with China was launched successfully on Oct.21, 2003 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China. The launch time was 11:16AM (Beijing local time), which corresponds to 1:16AM (Brasilia local time).

The CBERS-2 was integrated and tested in the Integration and Test Laboratory of INPE. See a detail description of the activities done in Brazil.

CBERS-2B

CBERS-2B, built to give continuity to the national imaging program, to the space applications, and to avoid interrupting the projects of thousand institutes and users of CBERS program, still belongs to the first CBERS generation, and is therefore almost identical to CBERS-1 and -2. However, some improvements were adopted. The main one concerns the payload, with the replacement of the IRMSS imager by a High-Resolution Panchromatic Camera (HRC). Additional improvements are a new on-board recording system, and an advanced positioning system, which includes GPS (Global Positioning System) and star sensor.

Satellite integration and testing were performed at LIT (INPE´s Integration and Testing Laboratory), in São José dos Campos. CBERS-2B launch is planned for the beginning of September 2007, by the same Chinese launcher and from the same Taiyuan launch base.