SACI-1

A SACI satellite being tested
Mission type	Earth orbiter
Operator	INPE
COSPAR ID	1999-057B
SATCAT no.	25941
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	INPE
Launch mass	60 kilograms (130 lb)
Power	150 watts
Start of mission
Launch date	October 14, 1999 (1999-10-14)
Rocket	Long March 4B
Launch site	Taiyuan LC-7
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Sun-synchronous
Semi-major axis	7,098 kilometres (4,410 mi)
Eccentricity	0.00084
Perigee altitude	733 kilometres (455 mi)
Apogee altitude	745 kilometres (463 mi)
Inclination	98.6°
Period	99.6 minutes
Epoch	Planned

The SACI-1 was a microsatellite of scientific applications, designed, developed, constructed and tested by Brazilian technicians, engineers and scientists working in INPE (National Institute of Space Research).^[1] SACI-1 was launched on October 14, 1999, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China, by means of a Long March 4B rocket, as a secondary payload at the CBERS-1 launch.

The "SACI" satellites are composed of a multi-mission platform and a set of experiments that constitute the payload. These satellites had the cooperation of several Brazilian and foreign institutions.

The SACI-1 scientific satellite has the following characteristics:

• Format: parallelepiped with 60 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm
• Mass: 60 kg
• Orbit: heliosynchronous
• Stabilization: by rotation (6 rpm)
• Precision: 1 degree

• Solar Cells: Gallium Arsenide (AsGa)
• Dimensions: 3 panels of 57 x 44 cm
• Efficiency: 19%
• Power output: 150W
• Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Battery Cells
• Voltage: 1.4 V
• Capacity: 4.5 Ah
• Remote control rate: 19.2 kbit/s
• Transmission rate: 500 kbit/s
• Antennas of edge: 2 of transmission and 2 of reception, type Microstrip
• Operating frequency telemetry / remote control: 2,250 GHz / 2,028 GHz
• Receiving antenna in Soil: 3.4 m in diameter

Although the launch went smoothly, and the intended orbit reached, SACI-1 did not come into operation, probably due to a failure in the solar panel control system.

• SACI-1 Gunter's Space Page