International cooperation and contribution in Earth observation of FORMOSAT-2

Jeng Shing Chern, Jiun Jih Miau, Shao Shing Chen, Sam Wang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The FORMOSAT-2 (was called ROCSAT-2 formerly) of Taiwan is a small satellite of 746 kg mass for two remote sensing missions with 5 years in the designed mission life. Its mission orbit is sun-synchronous of 891 km altitude for exactly 14 revolutions per day. For Earth observation, the payload is an advanced high resolution remote sensing instrument (RSI) with ground sampling distance (GSD) 2 m in panchromatic (PAN) band and 8 m in four multi-spectral (MS) bands. For upward lightning observation, the payload is an imager of sprites and upper atmospheric lightning (ISUAL). Launch date of FORMOSAT-2 was on 20 May 2004. After more than 4 years of mission operations in orbit, i.e., more than 80% of the mission life, its worldwide effectiveness in the international cooperation and contribution in Earth observation is very pronounced. This paper assesses the global effectiveness of FORMOSAT-2 based on the following two areas: international cooperation and international contribution. We discuss the two areas from the following different aspects: satellite development, Earth science and ecological niche research, preservation of the world heritages, contribution to the International Charter: space and major disasters, observation of suspected North Korea and Iran nuclear facilities, and scientific observation of the atmospheric transient luminous events (TLEs). It is concluded that FORMOSAT-2's global effectiveness in both international cooperation and contribution in Earth observation is definite. Its development and operation is very valuable to the whole world.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Astronautical Federation - 59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008
Pages2545-2558
Number of pages14
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Event59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 2008 Sept 292008 Oct 3

Publication series

NameInternational Astronautical Federation - 59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008
Volume4

Other

Other59th International Astronautical Congress 2008, IAC 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityGlasgow
Period08-09-2908-10-03

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

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