EduSAT

{{Short description|Italian microsatellite}}

{{About|the Italian microsatellite|the Indian communications satellite|GSAT-3|other uses|Edusat (disambiguation){{!}}Edusat}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = EduSAT

| image =

| image_caption =

| mission_type = Technology
Educational outreach

| operator = ASI
Sapienza

| website =

| COSPAR_ID = 2011-044A

| SATCAT = 37788

| mission_duration =

| manufacturer = Sapienza

| launch_mass = {{convert|10|kg|lb}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/UCS_Satellite_Database_9-1-13.txt|title=UCS Satellite Database|publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104234546/http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/UCS_Satellite_Database_9-1-13.txt|url-status=dead}}

| power =

| launch_date = {{start-date|17 August 2011, 07:12:20|timezone=yes}} UTC{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|work=Jonathan's Space Page|access-date=22 November 2013}}

| launch_rocket = Dnepr

| launch_site = Dombarovsky 370/13

| launch_contractor = Kosmtras

| last_contact =

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| decay_date =

| orbit_epoch = 22 November 2013, 05:10:16 UTC{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37788|title=EDUSAT Satellite details 2011-044A NORAD 37788|work=N2YO|date=22 November 2013|access-date=22 November 2013}}

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Sun-synchronous

| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|644|km|mi}}

| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|699|km|mi}}

| orbit_inclination = 98.20 degrees

| orbit_period = 98.04 minutes

| apsis = gee

}}

EduSAT is an Italian microsatellite which was launched in August 2011. The satellite was built and is operated by the Sapienza University of Rome in conjunction with the Italian Space Agency ASI, and is primarily used for educational outreach and technology demonstration.{{cite web|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/e/edusat|title=EduSat|publisher=European Space Agency|work= eoPortal Directory|access-date=22 November 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.asi.it/en/educational_en/school/edusat_project |title=EduSAT project |publisher=Agenzia Spaziale Italiana |access-date=22 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221930/http://www.asi.it/en/educational_en/school/edusat_project |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}

EduSAT is a {{convert|10|kg|lb|adj=on}} satellite, measuring {{convert|31.5|x|31.5|x|26.0|cm|in}}. The spacecraft is powered by surface-mounted solar cells. It carries an experimental analogue Sun sensor, a magnetometer and a temperature sensor. The satellite also tested a prototype PocketQube deployer and a passive deorbit mechanism. As of September 2013 it remained operational.

EduSAT was launched aboard a Dnepr carrier rocket from Site 370/13 at the Dombarovsky launch site in Russia. The launch was conducted by Kosmotras with liftoff occurring at 07:12:20 on 17 August 2011. The rocket carried six other satellites, with an additional payload bolted to the upper stage.{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/edusat-1.htm|title=EDUSAT|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=22 November 2013}} The satellite was placed into a Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit. As of 22 November 2013 it was in an orbit with a perigee of {{convert|644|km|mi}}, an apogee of {{convert|699|km|mi}}, 98.20 degrees inclination and a period of 98.04 minutes.