Arianespace Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T Ariane 42P
About the Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T Mission
- Type: Earth Science
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
The TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite was launched on 10 August 1992 with the objective of "observing and understanding the ocean circulation". A joint project between NASA, the U.S. space agency, and CNES, the French space agency, it carries two radar altimeters and precise orbit determination systems, including the DORIS system. KITSAT-1 (Korean Institute of Technology Satellite) was a collaborative research mission, encompassing the installation of a groundstation in South Korea, participation of Korean engineers in the UoSAT-5 mission, technology transfer and training of students on the MSc courses at Surrey, and the involvement in a engineering and flight microsatellites. The S80/T satellite was built for CNES by Matra Marconi Space using the Surrey Satellite Technology Microbus (Uosat) bus.
Launch Pad & Location
Ariane Launch Area 2
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
The Ariane Launch Area 2 launch pad has hosted 119 rocket launches, including 119 orbital launch attempts. The Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana launch site has been the location for 333 total rocket launches.
The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
Aérospatiale Ariane 42P Rocket
The Ariane 4 was an expendable space launch system, developed by the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was manufactured by ArianeGroup and marketed by Arianespace. Since its first flight on 15 June 1988 until the final flight on 15 February 2003, it attained 113 successful launches out of 116 total launches.
About Arianespace
Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Arianespace Ariane 42P Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T launch scheduled?
The Arianespace Ariane 42P Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T launch was scheduled for:
.
Where did the Arianespace Ariane 42P Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T mission launch from?
The Arianespace Ariane 42P rocket launched from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana. The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
What rocket was used for the Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T mission?
The Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T mission launched aboard a Arianespace Ariane 42P rocket. The Ariane 4 was an expendable space launch system, developed by the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was manufactured by ArianeGroup and marketed by Arianespace. Since its first flight on 15 June 1988 until the final flight on 15 February 2003, it attained 113 successful launches out of 116 total launches. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Arianespace Ariane 42P Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T launch?
The Arianespace Ariane 42P Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Arianespace Ariane 42P Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Arianespace Ariane 42P launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Topex-Poseidon, Kitsat 1 & S80/T mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Arianespace live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.