{{Short description|Taiwanese Earth observation satellite}} {{Infobox spaceflight | auto = all | name = Formosat-5 | names_list = | image = File:FORMOSAT-5 in orbit (artist concept) cropped.png | image_caption = Artist's concept of Formosat-5 | image_size = | mission_type = Earth observation | operator = NSPO | COSPAR_ID = 2017-049A | SATCAT = 42920 | website = [http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-5/program-description.html Formosat-5] | mission_duration = Planned: 5 years <br/> Elapsed: {{time interval|24 August 2017 18:51|show=ymd|sep=,}} | manufacturer = NSPO | launch_mass = {{convert|475|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="formosat-sat">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-5/satellite.html |title=Space Programs: FORMOSAT-5: Satellite |publisher=National Space Organization |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826030655/http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-5/satellite.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | dimensions = {{convert|1.6|xx|2.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="formosat-sat" /> | power = <!--end-of-life power, in watts--> | launch_date = {{start-date|24 August 2017, 18:51}} UTC<ref name="sfnow20170825">{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/08/25/taiwanese-satellite-rides-spacex-rocket-into-orbit/ |title=Taiwanese satellite rides SpaceX rocket |work=Spaceflight Now |first=Stephen |last=Clark |date=25 August 2017 |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809112642/https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/08/25/taiwanese-satellite-rides-spacex-rocket-into-orbit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | launch_rocket = Falcon 9 FT | launch_site = Vandenberg SLC-4E | launch_contractor = SpaceX | entered_service = | disposal_type = | deactivated = | destroyed = | last_contact = | decay_date = | orbit_reference = Geocentric | orbit_regime = Sun-synchronous | orbit_semimajor = {{convert|7101.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} | orbit_eccentricity = 0.0009348 | orbit_periapsis = {{convert|716.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} | orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|729.9|km|mi|abbr=on}} | orbit_inclination = 98.2892° | orbit_period = 99.25 minutes | orbit_epoch = 25 August 2017, 12:30:14 UTC<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.space-track.org/basicspacedata/query/class/tle_latest/NORAD_CAT_ID/42920/ORDINAL/1--5/orderby/ORDINAL/format/tle/emptyresult/show |title=FORMOSAT-5: TLE |work=Space-track.org |date=25 August 2017 |access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref> | apsis = gee | instruments_list = | programme = FORMOSAT programme | previous_mission = FORMOSAT-3 | next_mission = FORMOSAT-7 }}
'''Formosat-5''' ('''Formosa Satellite 5'''; {{zh|c=|t='''福爾摩沙衛星五號'''}}) is the first Earth observation satellite manufactured and operated solely by the National Space Organization, the national civilian space agency of Taiwan. The satellite was launched from a Falcon 9 rocket on 24 August 2017, and placed into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 720 km. Formosat-5 can capture color and more detailed monochrome images, along with measuring the ionosphere plasma's properties.
==Spacecraft design== Formosat-5 primary goal is to demonstrate Taiwan's satellite manufacturing capabilities and produce data for various academic research. The satellite is 2.8 m tall, 1.6 m wide octagonal prism body, and weighs about 450 kg. Formosat-5 contains the Optical Telemetry Payload ({{zh|c=|t=光學遙測酬載}}) capturing color and monochrome images, and the Advanced Ionospheric Sounder ({{zh|c=|t=先進電離層探測儀}}) measuring the ionosphere.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=福爾摩沙衛星五號 - 國家太空中心|url=https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/inprogress.php?c=20021501|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.nspo.narl.org.tw|language=zh-tw|archive-date=25 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925193802/https://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/inprogress.php?c=20021501|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Optical Telemetry Payload is the primary instrument aboard the spacecraft, composed of a telescope and an electrical unit. The telescope uses a CMOS chip designed to see four light wavelengths: blue, green, red, and near infrared. The chip also has a dedicated monochrome sensor with 12-bit color depth. The Optical Telemetry Payload has a 10GB storage device, which can store panoramas that take 8 minutes to capture.<ref name=":0" /> Formosat-5 can capture images with a 2-meter resolution in black and white and 4 meters in color.<ref name="TT">{{cite news|last=Lin|first=Chia-nan|date=24 February 2018|title=Taiwanese satellite nails image clarity|work=Taipei Times|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/02/24/2003688147|access-date=26 February 2018|archive-date=27 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035221/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/02/24/2003688147|url-status=live}}</ref>
Formosat-5 also contains a scientific payload, called Advanced Ionospheric Probe, that studies plasma physics and properties in the ionosphere.<ref name="formosat-payloads">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-5/payloads.html |title=Space Programs: FORMOSAT-5: Payloads |publisher=National Space Organization |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-date=22 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822055457/http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-5/payloads.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> This instrument can measure plasma composition, density, temperature, and flow rate. The Advanced Ionospheric Probe is expected to be sensitive enough to capture anomalies of the ionosphere before earthquakes.<ref name=":0" />
Other components of Formosat-5 include a power control and distribution unit, heaters, batteries, and foldable solar panels. The power control and distribution unit can output a voltage of 5.2V with a maximum wattage of 50W. Formosat-5's MIPS computer can process 20 million instructions per second, with high-speed data channels.<ref name=":0" />
== Operation == thumb|Artist's concept of Formosat-5 in orbit Formosat-5 is the National Space Organization's first indigenously developed observation satellite, directed by Chang Ho-pen ({{lang-zh|c=張和本|labels=no}}).<ref name="formosat-desc">{{Cite web|title=Space Programs: FORMOSAT-5: Program Description|url=http://www.nspo.narl.org.tw/en2016/projects/FORMOSAT-5/program-description.html|access-date=25 August 2017|publisher=National Space Organization}}</ref><ref name="eoPortal">{{Cite web|title=FormoSat-5|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/f/formosat-5|access-date=21 January 2017|work=eoPortal|publisher=European Space Agency|archive-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401022216/https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/f/formosat-5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gunters">{{Cite web|title=FORMOSAT 5|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/formosat-5.htm|access-date=21 January 2017|work=Gunter's Space Page|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102104102/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/formosat-5.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TT" />
The satellite was flown from Taiwan to Los Angeles International Airport in the United States on 19 July 2017 via a China Airlines transport aircraft, and arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base on 26 July.<ref name="focus20170720">{{cite news|last1=Tsao|first1=Yu-fan|last2=Kao|first2=Evelyn|last3=Chen|first3=Christie|date=20 July 2017|title=Taiwan's Formosat-5 satellite arrives in Los Angeles|work=Focus Taiwan|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201707200012.aspx|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824154225/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201707200012.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sptech20170727">{{cite news|last=Goh|first=Deyana|date=27 July 2017|title=Taiwan's indigenous FORMOSAT-5 arrives at Vandenberg to prepare for SpaceX launch|work=SpaceTech Asia|url=http://www.spacetechasia.com/taiwans-indigenous-formosat-5-arrives-at-vandenberg-to-prepare-for-spacex-launch/|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825225924/http://www.spacetechasia.com/taiwans-indigenous-formosat-5-arrives-at-vandenberg-to-prepare-for-spacex-launch/|url-status=live}}</ref> Launch took place on 24 August 2017 at 18:51 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.<ref name="sfnow20170825" />
In September 2017, Formosat-5 transmitted its first images, which were blurry. A subsequent rescue mission fixed the satellite; however, it is limited to capturing images during good weather.<ref name="TT" />
== See also == * Formosat-8
==References== {{Reflist |30em}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4u3ZN2g_MI Launch webcast] {{commons category-inline|FORMOSAT-5}}
{{Formosat}} {{Falcon rocket launches}} {{Orbital launches in 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
Category:2017 in Taiwan Category:Earth observation satellites of Taiwan Category:Spacecraft launched in 2017 Category:SpaceX commercial payloads Category:Spacecraft launched by Falcon 9 Full Thrust rockets