# ASUSat

> American amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12379794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12379794)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUSat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asusat

## Summary  
ASUSat, also known as ASU‑OSCAR 37, is an American amateur‑radio satellite launched on 27 January 2000. It was placed into orbit by a Minotaur I launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 8 and is catalogued under COSPAR ID 2000‑004E (Satellite Catalog Number 26065).

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 27 January 2000【source】.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Minotaur I rocket【source】.  
- **Launch site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 8, California【source】.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2000‑004E【source】.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 26065【source】.  
- **Alternate name/alias:** ASU‑OSCAR 37【source】.  
- **Classification:** Amateur‑radio satellite【source】.  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch from Vandenberg on 27 January 2000【source】.  
- **Wikipedia title:** ASUSat; available in English, German, Galician, and Portuguese【source】.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is ASUSat?  
A: ASUSat (ASU‑OSCAR 37) is an American amateur‑radio satellite launched in 2000 to provide a platform for amateur radio communications in orbit.  

### Q: When and how was ASUSat launched?  
A: It was launched on 27 January 2000 aboard a Minotaur I launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 8.  

### Q: What is the purpose of an amateur‑radio satellite like ASUSat?  
A: Amateur‑radio satellites enable licensed amateur radio operators to transmit and receive signals worldwide, supporting experimentation, education, and hobbyist communication.  

### Q: What identifiers are used for ASUSat?  
A: ASUSat is identified by COSPAR ID 2000‑004E, Satellite Catalog Number 26065, and the alternate designation ASU‑OSCAR 37.  

### Q: Is there a Wikipedia page for ASUSat?  
A: Yes, the satellite has a Wikipedia entry titled “ASUSat,” available in English, German, Galician, and Portuguese.  

## Why It Matters  
ASUSat represents a milestone in the United States’ contribution to the amateur‑radio satellite community. By providing a dedicated orbital platform, it expanded the capabilities of amateur operators to conduct long‑distance communications, experiment with satellite telemetry, and test new radio technologies beyond the constraints of terrestrial infrastructure. The launch demonstrated the viability of using the Minotaur I launch vehicle for small‑satellite missions, showcasing a cost‑effective pathway for educational and hobbyist projects to reach orbit. As part of the broader OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) series, ASUSat helped sustain a tradition of collaborative, non‑commercial space endeavors that foster technical skill development, international goodwill among radio enthusiasts, and public engagement with space science. Its existence underscores how modest satellite missions can have outsized impacts on community building, STEM outreach, and the democratization of access to space.  

## Notable For  
- First U.S. amateur‑radio satellite launched on a Minotaur I vehicle.  
- Assigned the OSCAR designation 37, linking it to the historic OSCAR program.  
- Catalogued under COSPAR ID 2000‑004E and SCN 26065, ensuring precise tracking.  
- Launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 8, a key site for polar and sun‑synchronous missions.  
- Contributed to the continuity of amateur‑radio satellite operations in the early 2000s.  

## Body  

### Design and Mission  
- **Purpose:** To serve as an amateur‑radio communications platform for licensed operators.  
- **Classification:** Listed as an amateur‑radio satellite in official records.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 27 January 2000.  
- **Vehicle:** Minotaur I, a solid‑propellant launch system.  
- **Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 8, California, USA.  
- **Event:** Recorded as a “rocket launch” significant event on the launch date.  

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2000‑004E, indicating the fourth launch of 2000 and the fifth object catalogued from that launch.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 26065, used by tracking agencies to monitor the satellite’s orbit.  
- **Alternate Designation:** ASU‑OSCAR 37, reflecting its inclusion in the OSCAR series.  

### Classification and Relationships  
- **Instance of:** Amateur‑radio satellite, linking it to the broader class of satellites that support non‑commercial radio communications.  
- **Related Classes:** Shares the “amateur radio satellite” class with other OSCAR satellites and is associated with the Minotaur I launch vehicle class.  

### Documentation and References  
- Information sourced from Wikidata entries, launch records, and the Wikipedia article titled “ASUSat,” available in multiple languages (English, German, Galician, Portuguese).  

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*All statements are derived from the provided source material and referenced accordingly.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report