# ANDE-FCal

> former American atmospheric density research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q17297622](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17297622)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ande-fcal

## Summary

ANDE-FCal is a thing originating in the United States[1].

## Summary
ANDE-FCal was a former American research satellite launched in 2006 as part of the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE). It was designed to study atmospheric density and served as a secondary payload on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-116. The satellite operated until 2008 when it re-entered Earth's atmosphere.

## Key Facts
- **Classifications**: Research satellite, amateur radio satellite, military satellite, secondary payload
- **Launch Date**: December 10, 2006, at 01:47:35 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-116 mission)
- **Launch Site**: Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B
- **Mass**: 62.70 kilograms (launch weight)
- **Diameter**: 0.448 meters
- **Operators**: Space Test Program, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Deployment Date**: December 21, 2006
- **Orbit Decay**: May 25, 2008 (re-entry into Earth's atmosphere)
- **COSPAR ID**: 2006-055J
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2006-055J

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of ANDE-FCal?
A: ANDE-FCal was part of the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE) to study atmospheric density and its effects on satellite orbits. It also served as a secondary payload on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-116.

### Q: Who operated ANDE-FCal?
A: ANDE-FCal was operated by the Space Test Program and the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, both of which are part of NASA.

### Q: When was ANDE-FCal launched and when did it deorbit?
A: ANDE-FCal was launched on December 10, 2006, and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on May 25, 2008.

### Q: What type of satellite was ANDE-FCal?
A: ANDE-FCal was classified as a research satellite, amateur radio satellite, and military satellite, serving as a secondary payload on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission.

### Q: What was the mass and diameter of ANDE-FCal?
A: ANDE-FCal had a mass of 62.70 kilograms and a diameter of 0.448 meters.

## Why It Matters
ANDE-FCal played a crucial role in the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE), which aimed to improve understanding of atmospheric density and its impact on satellite orbits. By studying atmospheric drag, the experiment contributed to more accurate predictions of orbital decay and re-entry, which are essential for space mission planning and satellite operations. The satellite's data helped refine models used by the military, research institutions, and commercial space sectors. Additionally, as an amateur radio satellite, ANDE-FCal provided valuable communication capabilities for amateur radio operators. Its relatively short operational period from 2006 to 2008 made it a key player in atmospheric research during that time.

## Notable For
- **Secondary Payload**: ANDE-FCal was launched as a secondary payload on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-116, demonstrating its role in supporting primary mission objectives.
- **Amateur Radio Satellite**: It transmitted amateur radio signals, providing communication capabilities for amateur radio operators.
- **Atmospheric Research**: ANDE-FCal contributed to the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment, enhancing understanding of atmospheric density and its effects on satellite orbits.
- **Military Applications**: As a military satellite, it supported research with potential applications in space surveillance and tracking.
- **Short Operational Lifespan**: ANDE-FCal operated for approximately two years before re-entering Earth's atmosphere, making it a significant but brief contributor to atmospheric research.

## Body
### Overview
ANDE-FCal was a research satellite developed as part of the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE). It was launched on December 10, 2006, as a secondary payload on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-116. The satellite was deployed on December 21, 2006, and operated until May 25, 2008, when it re-entered Earth's atmosphere.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 62.70 kilograms (launch weight)
- **Diameter**: 0.448 meters
- **Operators**: Space Test Program and Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
- **Country of Origin**: United States

### Mission Details
- **Launch Date**: December 10, 2006, at 01:47:35 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-116 mission)
- **Launch Site**: Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B
- **Deployment Date**: December 21, 2006
- **Orbit Decay**: May 25, 2008

### Classification and Role
- **Classifications**: Research satellite, amateur radio satellite, military satellite, secondary payload
- **COSPAR ID**: 2006-055J
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2006-055J

### Significance
ANDE-FCal was part of the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment, which aimed to study atmospheric density and its effects on satellite orbits. The satellite's data contributed to improving models for orbital decay and re-entry, benefiting military, research, and commercial space applications. As an amateur radio satellite, it provided communication capabilities for amateur radio operators.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "ANDE-FCal",
  "description": "Former American atmospheric density research satellite launched in 2006 as part of the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE).",
  "additionalType": ["ResearchSatellite", "AmateurRadioSatellite", "MilitarySatellite"],
  "identifier": ["2006-055J"],
  "launchDate": "2006-12-10",
  "deploymentDate": "2006-12-21",
  "orbitDecayDate": "2008-05-25",
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "62.70",
    "unitCode": "KGM"
  },
  "diameter": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "0.448",
    "unitCode": "MTR"
  },
  "operator": ["Space Test Program", "Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center"],
  "countryOfOrigin": "United States",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29667", "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/FCalFinal2.jpg"]
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ande-fcal.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=2006-055J)
4. [Source](https://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions/satellite_missions/past_missions/anra_general.html)
5. [Source](http://web.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/ande-raft-ops.html)
6. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/ande)
7. [Source](https://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/anderr_hw.pdf)
8. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2006-055J)
9. [Source](https://www.nrl.navy.mil/pao/pressrelease.php?Y=2005&R=22-05s)