# Asgardia-1

> former CubeSat operated by Asgardia

**Wikidata**: [Q105889224](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105889224)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asgardia-1

## Summary
Asgardia-1 was a former CubeSat operated by Asgardia, a proposed independent space nation. It served as a technology demonstration spacecraft, launched in 2017 and deorbited in 2022 after reentering Earth's atmosphere.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Technology demonstration spacecraft and CubeSat
- **Mass**: 2.8 kilograms
- **Operator**: Asgardia
- **Launch date**: November 12, 2017, at 12:19:51 UTC
- **Launch vehicle**: Antares (2TRS2S1.8 configuration)
- **Launch site**: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0A
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (LEO)
- **Orbital period**: 93.63 minutes
- **Power source**: Solar cells
- **Deorbit date**: September 12, 2022
- **Manufacturer**: Asgardia
- **Launch contractor**: Orbital Sciences Corporation

## FAQs
### Q: What was Asgardia-1?
A: Asgardia-1 was a CubeSat developed by Asgardia, a proposed independent space nation. It was launched in 2017 to demonstrate experimental technologies and later deorbited in 2022.

### Q: Who operated Asgardia-1?
A: Asgardia-1 was operated by Asgardia, a private organization advocating for the creation of an independent space nation.

### Q: What was the purpose of Asgardia-1?
A: The primary purpose of Asgardia-1 was to serve as a technology demonstration spacecraft, testing experimental technologies in space.

### Q: When was Asgardia-1 launched?
A: Asgardia-1 was launched on November 12, 2017, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0A.

### Q: When did Asgardia-1 deorbit?
A: Asgardia-1 reentered Earth's atmosphere and deorbited on September 12, 2022.

## Why It Matters
Asgardia-1 was significant as a pioneering effort in the emerging field of private space nations. Launched by Asgardia, a proposed independent space nation, the CubeSat demonstrated the feasibility of experimental technologies in orbit. Its mission highlighted the growing role of private entities in space exploration and the potential for non-governmental space governance. Despite its short operational lifespan, Asgardia-1 contributed to discussions about the future of space governance and the role of private organizations in space activities.

## Notable For
- **First private space nation mission**: Asgardia-1 was one of the earliest missions associated with Asgardia's vision of an independent space nation.
- **Technology demonstration**: It served as a platform for testing experimental technologies in a low Earth orbit environment.
- **Short operational lifespan**: Asgardia-1 reentered Earth's atmosphere in 2022, marking the end of its operational phase.
- **Advancement of private space initiatives**: The mission supported the broader movement of private companies and organizations entering the space sector.

## Body
### Overview
Asgardia-1 was a CubeSat developed by Asgardia, a proposed independent space nation. It was launched on November 12, 2017, aboard an Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0A. The spacecraft weighed 2.8 kilograms and was powered by solar cells. Its primary purpose was to serve as a technology demonstration platform, testing experimental technologies in a low Earth orbit (LEO) environment.

### Mission Details
- **Orbit**: Asgardia-1 operated in a low Earth orbit with an orbital period of 93.63 minutes.
- **Apoapsis and Periapsis**: The spacecraft's orbit had an apoapsis of 454.4 kilometers and a periapsis of 450.2 kilometers.
- **Orbital Inclination**: The orbital inclination was 51.64 degrees.
- **Orbital Eccentricity**: The orbit had an eccentricity of 0.000305.

### Deorbit and End of Mission
Asgardia-1 reentered Earth's atmosphere on September 12, 2022, marking the end of its operational phase. The spacecraft's deorbit was a result of natural orbital decay, as it did not have propulsion for controlled reentry.

### Significance
Asgardia-1 was notable for being one of the earliest missions associated with Asgardia's vision of an independent space nation. It contributed to discussions about the future of space governance and the role of private organizations in space activities. The mission highlighted the growing role of private entities in space exploration and the potential for non-governmental space governance.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/asgardia-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43049)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2017-071N)