Mohammed VI (satellites)

The Mohammed VI satellites are a series of two Moroccan Earth observation and reconnaissance satellites, namely Mohammed VI-A and Mohammed VI-B, developed and built by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space based upon the Astrosat-1000 satellite bus. They are Morocco's first optical imaging satellites, and are operated by Morocco's Ministry of Defense, with an expected service life of 5 years.[4] They are named after Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco.[5]

Mohammed VI
Mission typeEarth observation and reconnaissance
OperatorGovernment of Morocco
COSPAR ID2017-070A (A)
2018-095A (B)
SATCAT no.43005 (A)[1]
43717 (B)[2]
Mission duration5 years (planned)
5 years, 11 months, 3 days (elapsed; A)
4 years, 10 months, 20 days (elapsed; B)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftMohammed VI-A
Mohammed VI-B
Spacecraft typeObservation satellite
BusAstrosat-1000
ManufacturerAirbus Defence and Space
Thales Alenia Space[3]
Launch mass1,110 kg (2,450 lb)
Start of mission
Launch dateNovember 8, 2017 (2017-11-08) (A)
November 21, 2018 (2018-11-21) (B)
RocketVega
Launch siteGuiana Space Centre ELA-1
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Semi-major axis7,106 km (4,415 mi) (A)[1]
7,106 km (4,415 mi) (B)[2]
Periapsis altitude644.8 km (400.7 mi) (A)
644.6 km (400.5 mi) (B)
Apoapsis altitude646.5 km (401.7 mi) (A)
646.7 km (401.8 mi) (B)
Inclination97.9°
Period97.5 minutes
Mohammed VI
 

Design

Satellite bus

Both satellites are based on the Astrosat-1000 satellite bus.[5] They have a launch mass of 1,110 kg (2,450 lb) and have three deployable solar arrays, and an expected service life of around 5 years.[6]

Propulsion

The satellites have four hydrazine thrusters for reboosting its orbit and keeping its altitude.[6]

Launch

Mohammed VI-A

The Mohammed VI-A satellite, Morocco's first spy satellite, was launched on Vega flight VV11 on board the Vega launcher from Guiana Space Centre ELA-1, French Guiana, on November 8, 2017. It was launched to low Earth Sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 97.9°.[1][4]

Mohammed VI-B

The Mohammed VI-B satellite, Morocco's second spy satellite, was launched a year later on Vega flight VV14 from Guiana Space Centre ELA-1, French Guiana, on November 28, 2018. It was launched to Low Earth Sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 97.9°.[2][5]

See also

References
  1. "Technical details for satellite MOHAMMED VI-A". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  2. "Technical details for satellite MOHAMMED VI-B". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  3. "Mohammed VI A, B (MN35-13)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  4. "Moroccan Image Reconnaissance Satellite Sent into Orbit by European Vega Rocket – Vega VV11 | Spaceflight101". 8 November 2017. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  5. Clark, Stephen. "Moroccan spy satellite launched aboard Vega rocket – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  6. "Mohammed VI A, B (MN35-13)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
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