# Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory

> Chinese satellite launched in 2022

**Wikidata**: [Q105296954](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105296954)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Space-based_Solar_Observatory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/advanced-space-based-solar-observatory

## Summary
The Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) is a Chinese artificial satellite launched in 2022 specifically designed for solar observation. Part of the Kuafu program and also known as Kuafu-1, it's operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences to study the Sun from space.

## Key Facts
- Launch Date: 2022-10-08 at 23:43 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
- Mass: 888 kilograms
- Operator: Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Launch Vehicle: Long March 2D
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit
- COSPAR ID: 2022-129A
- Alternative Names: ASO-S, Kuafu-1, 夸父1号, 夸父一号, etc.
- Manufacturer: Innovation Academy for Microsatellites
- Purpose: Solar observation

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory used for?
A: The Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory is designed for solar observation, studying the Sun's activities and phenomena from space to better understand solar physics.

### Q: When was the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory launched?
A: It was launched on October 8, 2022, at 23:43 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2D rocket.

### Q: Who operates the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory?
A: The satellite is operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and was manufactured by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites.

### Q: What is the significance of the name "Kuafu-1"?
A: The name refers to Kua Fu, a giant from Chinese mythology who chased the sun, symbolizing the observatory's mission to study the Sun.

## Why It Matters
The Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory represents China's significant contribution to solar research and space exploration. By providing dedicated solar observations from space, it helps scientists better understand solar physics, solar activities, and their effects on Earth and space weather. This observatory contributes to international efforts to study the Sun and improve space weather forecasting capabilities, which are crucial for protecting technological infrastructure and human activities in space. The ASO-S expands humanity's ability to monitor and predict solar events that can impact communications, GPS systems, and power grids on Earth.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Kuafu program, named after the mythical Chinese giant who chased the sun
- Having a specific focus on solar observation from a sun-synchronous orbit
- Being developed and operated entirely by Chinese institutions
- Having multiple international language entries in Wikipedia
- Carrying the COSPAR ID 2022-129A, indicating its registration as a space object

## Body
### Overview
The Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) is a Chinese artificial satellite dedicated to solar observation. It was launched on October 8, 2022, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China. The satellite is part of the Kuafu program and is also known by several aliases including ASO-S, Kuafu-1, 夸父1号, and 夸父一号.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 888 kilograms
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit
- COSPAR ID: 2022-129A
- SCN: 54029
- Launch Date: 2022-10-08 23:43
- Launch Vehicle: Long March 2D
- Launch Site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

### Mission and Purpose
The primary use of the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory is solar observation. It was designed to study the Sun's activities, solar phenomena, and contribute to solar physics research. The observatory is specifically positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit to optimize its solar observation capabilities.

### Development and Operation
- Operator: Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Manufacturer: Innovation Academy for Microsatellites
- Country: People's Republic of China
- Country of Origin: People's Republic of China
- Named After: Kua Fu
- Part Of: Kuafu program

### International Recognition
The observatory has entries in multiple languages including German (de), English (en), French (fr), and Chinese (zh) on Wikipedia. It has been cataloged in the Encyclopedia of China (third edition) with ID 506940. It has also been assigned entries in the Google Knowledge Graph.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report