# ARGOS

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q15015](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15015)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARGOS_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/argos-q15015

## Summary
ARGOS is a satellite launched on February 23, 1999, aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2. It served dual roles as an Earth observation satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft, testing experimental technologies while gathering data about Earth from orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 23, 1999
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
- **COSPAR ID**: 1999-008A
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1999-008A
- **Classifications**: Earth observation satellite, technology demonstration spacecraft
- **SCN Number**: 25634

## FAQs
### Q: When was ARGOS launched?
A: ARGOS was launched on February 23, 1999.

### Q: What was the purpose of ARGOS?
A: ARGOS functioned as both an Earth observation satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft, testing new technologies and observing Earth from orbit.

### Q: What rocket launched ARGOS?
A: ARGOS was launched aboard a Delta II rocket.

## Why It Matters
ARGOS played a significant role in advancing satellite technology and Earth observation capabilities. As a technology demonstration spacecraft, it tested experimental systems in space, contributing to the development of future missions. Its dual mission highlighted the importance of integrating technological innovation with practical applications like environmental monitoring. While specific outcomes of its experiments are not detailed in the provided data, its launch on a Delta II rocket—a reliable and widely used launch vehicle—underscored its relevance in late 1990s space research. ARGOS represents the intersection of scientific inquiry and engineering progress, serving as a platform for both testing new tools and gathering critical Earth data.

## Notable For
- **Dual Mission**: Combined Earth observation with technology demonstration, a unique operational approach.
- **Delta II Launch**: Part of the Delta II rocket’s legacy, a workhorse for NASA and commercial launches.
- **Late 1990s Space Research**: Contributed to the era’s efforts to merge experimental tech with practical Earth science goals.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: February 23, 1999
- **Rocket**: Delta II
- **Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2

### Mission Objectives
- **Primary Roles**:
  - Earth observation: Monitoring Earth from orbit.
  - Technology demonstration: Testing experimental spacecraft technologies.

### Technical Specifications
- **Identifiers**:
  - COSPAR ID: 1999-008A
  - NSSDCA ID: 1999-008A
  - SCN: 25634
- **Classifications**: Categorized as both an Earth observation satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft.

### Legacy
- ARGOS exemplified the use of space platforms for dual scientific and engineering purposes, reflecting broader trends in satellite mission design during the 1990s. Its launch on a Delta II rocket aligned with contemporary practices for deploying medium-class satellites.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report