Space & Earth Science
NORAD ID: 36508
Int'l Code: 2010-013A
Perigee: 719.3 km
Apogee: 732.1 km
Inclination: 92.0 °
Period: 99.2 minutes
Semi major axis: 7096 km
Launch date: April 8, 2010
Source: European Space Agency (ESA)
Comments: CryoSat 2 will spend more than three years measuring Earth's eroding polar ice caps. Scientists expect the CryoSat 2 satellite will not only determine the rate ice is melting, but also provide clues on how the changes will affect Earth's fickle climate and sea levels. The CryoSat 2 satellite carries dual radars to measure the thickness of land and sea ice during the mission. Designed to pierce clouds and see through darkness, the instruments will determine ice elevation with a precision of about one centimeter, or a half-inch, according to ESA.
Two Line Element Set (TLE):
1 36508U 10013A 13352.53765247 .00000235 00000-0 57216-4 0 1177
2 36508 092.0322 253.3670 0008988 020.4826 094.7055 14.52176417195882
Source: AFSPC
NASA's NSSDC Master Catalog entry for CRYOSAT 2
