# ANDESITE

> ANDESITE (Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors), is a 6U CubeSat mission being developed by the Boston University Center for Space Physics

**Wikidata**: [Q113149668](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113149668)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/andesite

## Summary
ANDESITE (Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors) is a 6U CubeSat mission developed by the Boston University Center for Space Physics. Launched on June 13, 2020, it was designed to operate as a miniaturized satellite composed of 10cm-sided cubic modules. The mission utilized an Electron launch vehicle to reach orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name**: Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors.
- **Classification**: Instance of a CubeSat (6U format).
- **Developer**: Boston University Center for Space Physics.
- **Launch Date**: June 13, 2020.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Electron (two-stage orbital launch vehicle).
- **Launch Site**: Māhia Peninsula.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2020-037D.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2020-037D.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 45726.

## FAQs
### Q: What does the acronym ANDESITE stand for?
A: ANDESITE stands for Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors.

### Q: Who developed the ANDESITE satellite?
A: The mission was developed by the Boston University Center for Space Physics.

### Q: When and how was ANDESITE launched?
A: ANDESITE launched on June 13, 2020, aboard an Electron rocket from the Māhia Peninsula.

## Why It Matters
ANDESITE represents a significant milestone in university-led space research, demonstrating the capabilities of academic institutions to design and deploy complex space missions. As a 6U CubeSat, it highlights the utility of miniaturized satellite technology—specifically the standard 10cm-sided cubic modules—for conducting extended scientific inquiry in orbit. The mission's name underscores its technical objective: the demonstration of an ad-hoc network in space, a critical technology for enabling communication between distributed satellite nodes.

By launching on the Electron vehicle, ANDESITE also illustrates the increasing accessibility of space for smaller, dedicated payloads through commercial launch providers. The project serves as a practical example of "Team Endeavors" in aerospace engineering, bridging the gap between theoretical academic research and operational space hardware.

## Notable For
- Being a 6U CubeSat mission, utilizing the standard CubeSat modular design.
- Launching aboard the Electron rocket, a dedicated small-satellite launch vehicle.
- Development by the Boston University Center for Space Physics.
- Demonstrating ad-hoc networking capabilities for satellite-based inquiry (as indicated by its title).
- Reaching orbit as part of the 2020-037 mission group.

## Body
### Mission Overview
ANDESITE (Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors) is a spacecraft mission classified as a 6U CubeSat. The project was initiated and developed by the Boston University Center for Space Physics. As a CubeSat, the spacecraft adheres to the standardization of miniaturized satellites made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules.

### Launch and Operations
The satellite successfully reached orbit on June 13, 2020.
*   **Launch Vehicle**: The mission utilized the "Electron," a two-stage orbital launch vehicle.
*   **Launch Site**: The launch originated from Māhia Peninsula.
*   **Orbital Identifiers**: In satellite tracking catalogs, ANDESITE is identified by the COSPAR ID 2020-037D and the NSSDCA ID 2020-037D. It holds the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 45726, with an alias reference of 45725 in some databases.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report