NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2000-039B
CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) is a German small satellite mission for geoscientific and atmospheric research and applications, managed by GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ). The payload includes an accelerometer, magnetometers, a GPS receiver, a laser retro reflector, and an ion drift meter. With its orbit characteristics (near polar, low altitude, long duration) CHAMP will generate for the first time simultaneously highly precise gravity and magnetic field measurements over a 5 years period. This will allow to detect besides the spatial variations of both fields also their variability with time. In addition CHAMP is a pilot mission for the pre-operational use of space-borne GPS observations for atmospheric and ionospheric research and applications in weather prediction and space weather monitoring. The 500 kg, triaxially stabilized spacecraft was launched by a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk at 12:00 UT, along with two other satellites.
Launch Date: 2000-07-15
Launch Vehicle: Kosmos-3M
Launch Site: Plesetsk, Russia
Mass: 500 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Prof. Christoph Reigber | Project Director | GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam | reigber@gfz-potsdam.de |