ASTROSAT

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10-day predictions
ASTROSAT is classified as:

Space & Earth Science

NORAD ID: 40930

Int'l Code: 2015-052A

Perigee: 639.4 km

Apogee: 652.0 km

Inclination: 6.0 °

Period: 97.5 minutes

Semi major axis: 7016 km

RCS: Unknown

Launch date: September 28, 2015
Source: India (IND)
Launch site: SRIHARIKOTA (SRI)

ASTROSAT is an Indian astronomical observatory to study black holes and neutron stars. The 3,335-pound (1,513-kilogram) Astrosat spacecraft hosts four X-ray science instruments and an ultraviolet telescope. Assembled at the ISRO Satellite Center in Bangalore, Astrosat carries reaction wheels, magnetic torquers, and rocket thrusters to keep the spacecraft pointed at its celestial targets. Astronomers in India plan to use Astrosat to survey the galaxy for black holes and measure the intense magnetic fields generated by neutron stars, the collapsed ultra-dense leftovers of supernovas. The supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, as well as X-ray binaries systems are also on Astrosat's observing agenda. The observatory's ultraviolet imaging telescope will scan the sky in visible, ultraviolet and far ultraviolet light, focusing on star-forming clouds throughout the nearby universe and infant solar systems closer to home.