Megha-Tropiques, Indo-French Joint Satellite Mission
Megha-Tropiques is an Indo-French Joint Satellite Mission for studying the water cycle and energy exchanges in the tropics. The main objective of this mission is to understand the life cycle of convective systems that influence the tropical weather and climate and their role in associated energy and moisture budget of the atmosphere in tropical regions.
Megha-Tropiques provides scientific data on the contribution of the water cycle to the tropical atmosphere, with information on condensed water in clouds, water vapour in the atmosphere, precipitation, and evaporation. With its circular orbit inclined 20 deg to the equator, the Megha-Tropiques is a unique satellite for climate research that should also aid scientists seeking to refine prediction models.
Megha-Tropiques carries the following four payloads:- Microwave Analysis and Detection of Rain and Atmospheric Structures (MADRAS), an Imaging Radiometer developed jointly by CNES and ISRO
- Sounder for Probing Vertical Profiles of Humidity (SAPHIR), from CNES
- Scanner for Radiation Budget (ScaRaB), from CNES
- Radio Occultation Sensor for Vertical Profiling of Temperature and Humidity (ROSA), procured from Italy
| Lift-off Mass | 1000 kg |
| Orbit | 867 km with an inclination of 20 deg to the equator |
| Thermal | Passive system with IRS heritage |
| Power | 1325 W (at End of Life) Two 24 AH NiCd batteries |
| TTC | S-band |
| Attitude and Orbit Control | 3-axis stabilised with 4 Reaction Wheels, Gyros and Star sensors, Hydrazine based RCS |
| Solid State Recorder | 16 Gb |
| Launch date | October 12, 2011 |
| Launch site | SDSC SHAR Centre, Sriharikota, India |
| Launch vehicle | PSLV- C18 |
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