# Alouette 1

> former Canadian research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1422160](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1422160)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alouette_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alouette-1

## Summary  
Alouette 1 was Canada's first research satellite, launched in 1962 to study Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere. It was operated by the Communications Research Centre Canada and marked Canada's entry into space exploration. The satellite remained operational until its retirement in 1972.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: September 29, 1962, at 06:05 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 East.  
- **Mass**: 145.7 kilograms.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Thor-Agena B (serial number 341/6101).  
- **Operator**: Communications Research Centre Canada (formerly Defence Research Telecommunications Establishment).  
- **Manufacturers**: Communications Research Centre Canada (general contractor), RCA Corporation, and SPAR Aerospace (subcontractors).  
- **Mission Duration**: Operational until September 30, 1972.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-049A.  
- **Successor**: Alouette 2.  
- **Power Source**: Solar array.  
- **Class**: Geomagnetic satellite (designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Alouette 1?  
A: Alouette 1 was designed to study Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere, providing data on radio wave propagation and space weather.  

### Q: Who built and operated Alouette 1?  
A: The satellite was built by the Communications Research Centre Canada with subcontractors RCA Corporation and SPAR Aerospace, and operated by the same agency.  

### Q: How long was Alouette 1 operational?  
A: It remained in service for 10 years, from its launch in 1962 until its retirement in 1972.  

## Why It Matters  
Alouette 1 was a landmark achievement for Canada, making it the third country to design and launch its own satellite after the Soviet Union and the United States. Its success demonstrated Canada's capability in space technology and laid the groundwork for future satellite missions. The data collected by Alouette 1 significantly advanced understanding of the ionosphere, aiding in improvements to global communication systems and space weather forecasting. The mission also fostered international collaboration, particularly with NASA, which provided funding and launch support.  

## Notable For  
- **First Canadian Satellite**: Pioneered Canada's space program.  
- **Longevity**: Operated for a decade, far exceeding its expected lifespan.  
- **International Collaboration**: Funded jointly by Canada and NASA.  
- **Scientific Impact**: Provided foundational data on the ionosphere.  
- **Technical Innovation**: Used solar arrays for power, a relatively new technology at the time.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on September 29, 1962, aboard a Thor-Agena B rocket.  
- Primary mission: Study the ionosphere's effects on radio communications.  

### Design and Specifications  
- Mass: 145.7 kg.  
- Power: Solar array-powered.  
- Manufacturers: Communications Research Centre Canada (lead), RCA Corporation, and SPAR Aerospace.  

### Operational History  
- Active until September 30, 1972.  
- Preceded by no Canadian satellites; succeeded by Alouette 2.  

### Scientific Contributions  
- Collected data on ionospheric behavior and radio wave propagation.  
- Supported advancements in global communication technologies.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Alouette 1",
  "description": "Canada's first research satellite, launched in 1962 to study Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8495360",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alouette_1"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Geomagnetic satellite",
  "launchDate": "1962-09-29",
  "operationalPeriod": "1962-1972",
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Communications Research Centre Canada"
  },
  "weight": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "145.7",
    "unitText": "kilogram"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/alouette.htm)
2. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-049A)
3. [Source](https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/alouette.asp)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013