CAT-1

CAT-1 (also Technological Capsule 1,[2] also Obélix[3]) was the first artificial Earth satellite launched by the European Space Agency on their own rocket, the Ariane 1. It was only intended to provide data on the launch characteristics of the new rocket and was only powered for 8 orbits.[4]

CAT-1
Mission typeVehicle evaluation
OperatorESA
COSPAR ID1979-104A
SATCAT no.11645
Mission duration8 orbits
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass1,602 kilograms (3,532 lb)
Start of mission
Launch dateDecember 24, 1979, 17:14:38 (1979-12-24UTC17:14:38Z) UTC
RocketAriane 1
Launch siteKourou ELA-1
End of mission
Last contact28 December 1979 (1979-12-29)
Decay date27 November 1989
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary transfer
Perigee altitude182 kilometres (113 mi)
Apogee altitude35,824 kilometres (22,260 mi)
Inclination17.6 degrees
Period631.45 minutes
Epoch23 January 1980[1]
 

References


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