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Aquarius/SAC-D

Aquarius/SAC-D combined NASA’s Aquarius sea-surface-salinity instrument with Argentina’s SAC-D observatory to study the ocean’s role in the global water cycle and climate. Launched on June 10, 2011, Aquarius began science observations in August 2011 and provided NASA’s first global sea-surface-salinity measurements. Its radiometers sensed microwave emission from the ocean, while a scatterometer helped correct the influence of wind-driven surface roughness. The mission ended on June 8, 2015, when failure of a SAC-D Remote Terminal Unit caused loss of power regulation and attitude stabilization. Its salinity record complements other observations of ocean circulation, precipitation and evaporation.

Aquarius/SAC-D
NASA · NASA identifies PIA13971 as an Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft artist concept and credits NASA. NASA content generally is not subject to copyright in the United States and may be used for factual or informational purposes under NASA Images and Media Usage Guidelines with NASA attribution and no implied endorsement; NASA insignia, logotypes, protected marks, and any separately identified third-party content remain excluded. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
AquariusAquarius/SAC-DSAC-D
Name
Aquarius/SAC-D
Status
completed

Details

Astronauts
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Description
Aquarius/SAC-D combined NASA’s Aquarius sea-surface-salinity instrument with Argentina’s SAC-D observatory to study the ocean’s role in the global water cycle and climate. Launched on June 10, 2011, Aquarius began science observations in August 2011 and provided NASA’s first global sea-surface-salinity measurements. Its radiometers sensed microwave emission from the ocean, while a scatterometer helped correct the influence of wind-driven surface roughness. The mission ended on June 8, 2015, when failure of a SAC-D Remote Terminal Unit caused loss of power regulation and attitude stabilization. Its salinity record complements other observations of ocean circulation, precipitation and evaporation.
Destination
Near-polar, Sun-synchronous Earth orbit at approximately 657 km altitude (98.0° inclination; 98-minute period)
End Date
2015-06-08
Launch Site
Outcome
Aquarius/SAC-D completed its primary science objectives and provided NASA’s first global sea-surface-salinity observations. Science operations ended on June 8, 2015 following a SAC-D spacecraft hardware failure.
Programs
Start Date
2011-06-10
Vehicle Families

Links

Official Url
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/aquarius/

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
August 14, 2026 at 19:14:07 UTC
Updated Time
October 29, 2026 at 15:34:55 UTC
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