# SARAL

> cooperative technology mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and CNES

**Wikidata**: [Q6169551](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6169551)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARAL)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saral

## Summary
SARAL is a cooperative Earth observation and weather satellite mission developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French space agency CNES. Launched in 2013, it focuses on oceanographic and atmospheric studies, providing critical data for climate monitoring and weather forecasting. The mission demonstrates Indo-French collaboration in space technology.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 25, 2013
- **Operators**: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and CNES (France)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-CA (PSLV-CA)
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit (also categorized as a polar orbit)
- **COSPAR ID**: 2013-009A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 39086
- **Primary Instruments**: AltiKa radar altimeter and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS)
- **Mission Type**: Earth observation and weather satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the SARAL mission?
A: SARAL aims to study ocean surface topography, sea level changes, and atmospheric conditions to improve climate modeling and weather prediction.

### Q: Who launched the SARAL satellite?
A: SARAL was launched by ISRO using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-CA (PSLV-CA) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India.

### Q: What makes SARAL unique compared to other Earth observation satellites?
A: SARAL is notable for its Indo-French collaboration and its use of advanced altimetry technology (AltiKa) to measure ocean surface height with high precision.

## Why It Matters
SARAL plays a significant role in advancing global understanding of ocean dynamics and climate patterns. By combining ISRO’s launch capabilities with CNES’s expertise in altimetry, the mission provides high-resolution data critical for studying sea level rise, ocean currents, and weather phenomena. This data supports long-term climate research, disaster management, and sustainable resource planning. As a collaborative project, SARAL strengthens international partnerships in space exploration and demonstrates the application of satellite technology in addressing global environmental challenges.

## Notable For
- **Indo-French Collaboration**: One of the key joint missions between ISRO and CNES, showcasing bilateral cooperation in space science.
- **Advanced Altimetry**: Uses the AltiKa Ka-band radar altimeter, which offers higher precision than traditional altimeters.
- **Sun-Synchronous Orbit**: Operates in a near-polar orbit to ensure consistent lighting conditions for data collection.
- **Long-Term Mission**: Designed for continuous monitoring of ocean and atmospheric parameters over extended periods.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Date**: February 25, 2013
- **Launch Site**: Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad, Sriharikota, India
- **Rocket**: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-CA (PSLV-CA), a variant of ISRO’s PSLV designed for lighter payloads.

### Mission Objectives
- **Oceanography**: Measure sea surface height, wave patterns, and ocean currents.
- **Climatology**: Monitor sea level changes and atmospheric temperature profiles.
- **Weather Forecasting**: Provide data to improve monsoon prediction and storm tracking.

### Instrumentation
- **AltiKa Radar Altimeter**: A Ka-band altimeter developed by CNES for high-precision ocean surface measurements.
- **DORIS System**: A French-built positioning system for accurate orbit determination.
- **ROS (Receiver for Operational Services)**: Collects data from ground-based beacons for weather and environmental monitoring.

### Collaboration
- **ISRO’s Role**: Provided the satellite bus, launch vehicle, and ground segment.
- **CNES’s Role**: Contributed the AltiKa and DORIS instruments, as well as scientific expertise in altimetry.
- **Data Sharing**: Mission data is used by both Indian and French scientific communities, as well as international researchers.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/list-of-pslv-launches)
2. Jonathan's Space Report