MMSAT-1

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{Short description|Myanmar's first microsatellite}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = MMSAT-1 (Lawkanat-1)

| image =

| image_caption =

| mission_type = Earth Observation

| spacecraft_type =

| operator = Myanmar MAEU / Japan Hokkaido University

| COSPAR_ID = 1998-067SJ

| SATCAT =

| mission_duration = {{time interval|February 20, 2021, 17:36:50|April 4, 2023}}
(final)

| manufacturer = Japan Hokkaido University / Myanmar MAEU

| spacecraft_bus = Cygnus NG-15

| BOL_mass = {{convert|50|kg}}

| dimensions = 50 × 50 × 50 cm

| launch_date = {{start date|2021|02|20|17|36|50}}{{cite web |last1=Gebhardt |first1=Chris |last2=Neal |first2=Mihir |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/02/cygnus-katherine-johnson-ready-to-station/ |title=Northrop Grumman's S.S. Katherine Johnson arrives at the ISS |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=20 February 2021 |accessdate=21 July 2022}}{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/02/22/northrop-grumman-supply-carrier-delivers-cargo-to-international-space-station/ |title=Northrop Grumman supply carrier delivers to International Space Station |work=Spaceflight Now |date=22 February 2021 |accessdate=21 July 2022}}

| launch_rocket = {{#invoke:flag|icon|USA}} Antares 230+

| launch_site = {{#invoke:flag|icon|USA}} MARS LP-0A

| deployment_from = ISS

| deployment_date = {{end date|2021|03|22|df=y}}

| decay_date = 4 April 2023

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Low Earth

| orbit_apoapsis = 421 km

|orbit_periapsis= 416 km{{Cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter Dirk |title=Lawkanat 1, 2 |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/lawkanat-1.htm |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Gunter's Space Page}}

| orbit_inclination = 51.6°

|apsis=gee

}}

MMSAT-1 (also known as Lawkanat-1) was a Burmese microsatellite launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on 20 February 2021 and deployed into orbit from the ISS on 22 March 2021. It was Myanmar's first microsatellite and jointly built by Japan's Hokkaido University and Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University. It was delivered to the ISS by the American cargo spacecraft Cygnus NG-15. MMSAT-1 was temporarily held on ISS and its deployment was delayed due to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Tim |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-satellite-japan-excl-idUSKBN2B41O1 |title=Exclusive: Myanmar's first satellite held by Japan on space station after coup |work=Reuters |date=12 March 2021 |access-date=21 July 2022}} It was deployed into orbit on 22 March 2021.{{cite web |url=https://iss.jaxa.jp/kibouser/provide/j-ssod/72631.html |script-title=ja:これまでに放出された超小型衛星 |trans-title=Microsatellites released thus far |publisher=JAXA |date=23 March 2021 |access-date=21 July 2022 |language=ja}}

MMSAT-1 was intended to be used not only for environmental observation and mineral exploration, but also for natural disaster control, but human rights activists worried that the satellite could be used for military purposes.{{Cite news |date=19 March 2021 |title=Myanmars erster Satellit bleibt zunächst in der ISS |trans-title=Myanmar's first satellite remains in the ISS for the time being |url=https://www.dw.com/de/myanmars-erster-satellit-bleibt-zun%C3%A4chst-in-der-iss/a-56929285 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=Deutsche Welle |language=de}} According to Hokkaido University, as Myanmar did not yet have the necessary equipment, the satellite would initially be operated from Japan.{{Cite news |date=23 March 2021 |title=»Lawkanat-1«: Japan setzt umstrittenen Satelliten für Myanmar im All aus |trans-title="Lawkanat-1": Japan deploys controversial satellite for Myanmar in space |url=https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/weltall/japan-setzt-umstrittenen-satelliten-fuer-myanmar-im-all-aus-a-3d6e37ed-1f2a-4e74-8a7b-19b9cc13e57f |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de}}

MMSAT-1 reentered the atmosphere on 4 April 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=47976 |title=MMSATS-1 |work=N2YO.com |date=4 April 2023 |access-date=11 April 2023}}