Space images obtained by the apparatus ASTER from spacecraft Terra have 14 spectral ranges: 3 - in visible and near IR, 6 - in middle IR and 5 - in thermal, with a spatial resolution of 15, 30 and 90 meters, respectively, and a frame size of 60x60 km.
Technical characteristics of the spacecraft imaging systemTerra ASTER satellite
| Type of shooting | Optical |
|---|---|
| Shooting modes | Mono and stereo |
| Number of channels | 14 |
| Channel set | VNIR+SWIR+TIR |
| Permission on the ground MS, m | 15 |
| Permission on the ground, m | 30 (SWIR), 90 (TIR) |
| Capture width | 60 |
| Method of obtaining a stereo pair | Within a single orbit |
| Dynamic range, bits/pixel | From 8 to 12 |
Characteristics of the space satellite
| Operator | NASA |
|---|---|
| Operating country | USA |
| Launch date | 18.12.1999 |
| Mission completion date | Mission active |
| Mass of the spacecraft | 5190 |
| Orbit type | Sun-synchronous |
| Orbital altitude | 705 |
| Re-shooting period, days | 16 |
| Service life | 5 |
| Type of shooting to order | Archive |
| Availability of samples | Yes |
Description of the satellite Terra ASTER satellite
The Terra ASTER satellite was created to carry out geological studies of the Earth, to study climate, and to create high-quality digital high-rise models of the Earth's surface. It provides data for the analysis of Earth surface temperatures, altitude modelling and the creation of three-dimensional images.Terra ASTER was launched on 18 December 1999 from the Tanegashim launch site in Japan by H-IIA. It operates in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at an altitude of about 705 kilometres.
The satellite has a resolution of several dozen metres, allowing for high detail images for various applications, including mapping and environmental monitoring. It operates in a wide spectrum from visible light to thermal radiation of the near infrared range.
The Terra ASTER satellite features include the high accuracy of surface temperature measurements, the possibility of producing three-dimensional maps of the terrain and geological analysis.
Terra ASTER is developed by NASA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI).
