# ArduSat

> Arduino-based CubeSat science project

**Wikidata**: [Q4788306](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4788306)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArduSat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ardusat

## Summary
ArduSat is an open science CubeSat project built using Arduino microcontrollers, designed to enable public participation in space-based experiments. As a crowdfunded miniaturized satellite, it allows users to upload and run their own code in orbit. It represents a democratizing force in space exploration and scientific research.

## Key Facts
- Instance of: Open science project, crowdfunded project  
- Subclass of: CubeSat (miniaturized satellites based on 10 cm cubic units)  
- Has part: Arduino microcontroller platform  
- Funding scheme: Crowdfunding (via SpaceBits)  
- Related missions: ArduSat 1 (NORAD ID: 39412), ARDUSAT X  
- Image: [ArduSat3.png](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ArduSat3.png)  
- Wikidata ID: Q17012683  
- Freebase ID: /m/0k2f7fn  
- Wikipedia coverage: English, Spanish, French, Indonesian  

## FAQs
### Q: What is ArduSat used for?
A: ArduSat enables citizen scientists and researchers to conduct onboard experiments in low Earth orbit by uploading custom code. Users can perform tasks like capturing images, measuring radiation levels, or running other sensor-based studies.

### Q: How was ArduSat funded?
A: ArduSat was funded through a crowdfunding campaign, making it one of the early examples of community-supported space hardware development.

### Q: Is ArduSat still operational?
A: Specific mission statuses vary; ArduSat 1 was launched in 2013 but may no longer be active. Check current tracking databases such as Celestrak for latest orbital status.

## Why It Matters
ArduSat plays a pivotal role in expanding access to space science beyond traditional institutional boundaries. By leveraging the widely accessible Arduino platform, it lowers the barrier for individuals and small teams to participate in real-world space experimentation. This initiative supports educational outreach, promotes open-source innovation, and contributes to the broader CubeSat ecosystem that emphasizes cost-effective and modular spacecraft design. Its crowdfunded nature also reflects evolving models of financing space ventures outside government or corporate sponsorship.

## Notable For
- First open-access CubeSat allowing user-submitted code execution in orbit  
- Integration of the popular Arduino platform into space-grade applications  
- Pioneering use of crowdfunding for civilian space science projects  
- Designed to support remote experiment control via ground-based uploads  
- Encourages global participation in space research with minimal entry barriers  

## Body

### Overview
ArduSat is a CubeSat-class nanosatellite developed to facilitate public engagement in space science through programmable payloads based on the Arduino platform. The project aims to make space experimentation more inclusive by enabling anyone to propose and run software-defined experiments while the satellite is in orbit.

### Technical Specifications
- Based on standard CubeSat architecture (typically 1U – 10x10x10 cm)
- Utilizes commercial off-the-shelf components including Arduino-compatible boards
- Equipped with sensors and communication systems suitable for basic scientific data collection
- Designed for deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) or as secondary payload

### Mission History
#### ArduSat 1
- NORAD ID: 39412
- Launched in 2013 aboard JAXA's HTV-4 cargo vehicle to the ISS
- Intended for educational and experimental purposes with public access to its computing resources

#### ARDUSAT X
- A follow-up concept aimed at refining earlier designs and improving accessibility features
- Details remain limited; appears to have been proposed or prototyped rather than fully deployed

### Development & Funding
The project originated under the umbrella of *SpaceBits*, which led efforts to crowdfund both development and launch costs. This approach aligns with emerging trends in decentralized space technology initiatives driven by non-traditional stakeholders.

### Educational Impact
ArduSat serves as a hands-on tool for STEM education, offering students and hobbyists direct interaction with functioning spaceborne systems without requiring extensive infrastructure or investment. It encourages learning-by-doing in fields ranging from coding to aerospace engineering.