# SAC-C

> Argentine satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5556788](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5556788)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sac-c

## Summary
SAC-C was an Argentine Earth observation satellite launched on November 21, 2000. Manufactured by INVAP and operated by the Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, it was designed to observe Earth from a Sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite was deployed into space using a Delta II rocket from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** SAC-C is an Earth observation satellite (Satélite de Aplicaciones Científicas - C).
- **Launch Date:** November 21, 2000.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II.
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- **Manufacturer:** INVAP.
- **Operator:** Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE).
- **Country:** Argentina.
- **Orbit Type:** Sun-synchronous orbit.
- **Orbital Period:** 98.7 minutes.
- **Orbital Inclination:** 98 degrees.
- **Orbital Altitude:** Periapsis of 703.2 km and apoapsis of 704.7 km (Earth).
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2000-075B; SCN 26620.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the SAC-C satellite launched?
A: SAC-C was launched on November 21, 2000. It was lifted into orbit by a Delta II rocket from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

### Q: Who manufactured and operated SAC-C?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Argentine technology company INVAP. It was operated by the Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (National Commission for Space Activities).

### Q: What was the primary function of SAC-C?
A: SAC-C was an Earth observation satellite designed specifically to observe the planet from orbit. It utilized a spacecraft solar array as its source of energy to conduct its mission.

### Q: What were the orbital specifications of SAC-C?
A: The satellite operated in a Sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 98 degrees. It circled the Earth with a period of 98.7 minutes at an altitude ranging between 703.2 and 704.7 kilometers.

## Why It Matters
SAC-C serves as a prominent example of Latin American technological capability in the aerospace sector, representing a key milestone in Argentina's space program. As an Earth observation satellite, it played a critical role in gathering data for scientific applications, contributing to the understanding of the planet's environment from a Sun-synchronous orbit.

The project highlights the successful collaboration between Argentine industry and state agencies, notably the manufacturer INVAP and the operator Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. By achieving orbit via a Delta II launch system, SAC-C demonstrated Argentina's ability to integrate complex satellite technology into the global space infrastructure, providing valuable remote sensing data during its operational life.

## Notable For
- **National Achievement:** It is an Argentine satellite, highlighting the nation's indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities via INVAP.
- **Specific Mission Profile:** It functioned as a dedicated Earth observation satellite in a Sun-synchronous orbit, optimized for consistent lighting conditions for surface monitoring.
- **Launch Logistics:** It was launched aboard the historically significant and now-retired Delta II rocket system.
- **Precise Orbital Mechanics:** The satellite maintained a very low eccentricity orbit, with a minimal difference between its periapsis (703.2 km) and apoapsis (704.7 km).

## Body

### Mission Overview
SAC-C (Satélite de Aplicaciones Científicas - C) was an artificial satellite specifically designed for Earth observation. Classified under the COSPAR ID 2000-075B, it was part of a broader effort to utilize space technology for scientific applications. The satellite's primary directive was to observe Earth from orbit, relying on a spacecraft solar array for its energy requirements.

### Development and Ownership
The satellite was a product of Argentine engineering, manufactured by INVAP, a company specializing in high-technology projects. The operational control and management of the mission were handled by the Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE), Argentina's national space agency.

### Launch and Deployment
SAC-C was successfully launched on November 21, 2000. The deployment was executed using a Delta II rocket, a retired expendable launch system known for its reliability. The launch originated from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, a site frequently used for polar and Sun-synchronous orbital missions.

### Orbital Characteristics
The satellite was placed into a Sun-synchronous orbit, a specific type of orbit that allows the satellite to pass over any given point of the Earth's surface at the same local solar time.
*   **Semi-major axis:** 7,074 kilometers.
*   **Periapsis (Closest approach):** 703.2 kilometers relative to Earth.
*   **Apoapsis (Farthest point):** 704.7 kilometers relative to Earth.
*   **Orbital Period:** 98.7 minutes.
*   **Inclination:** 98 degrees.

### Technical Identifiers
In addition to its name, SAC-C is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 26620. It is also indexed in the Wolfram Language as `Entity["Satellite", "26620"]` and possesses a Google Knowledge Graph ID of `/g/122dksjy`. Visual records of the entity, including logos and images of the satellite at INVAP facilities, are archived on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report