# AubieSat-1

> American university CubeSat

**Wikidata**: [Q4819050](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4819050)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AubieSat-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aubiesat-1

## Summary

AubieSat-1 is a CubeSat .

## Summary  
AubieSat-1 is a CubeSat developed and operated by Auburn University, launched into space on October 28, 2011. As part of the CubeSat class of miniaturized satellites, it represents a low-cost approach to space research and education. The satellite was deployed from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 aboard a Delta II rocket.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on October 28, 2011, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2  
- Operated by Auburn University, a public institution in Auburn, Alabama  
- Classified as a CubeSat — a type of miniaturized satellite based on 10 cm cubic units  
- Launched aboard a Delta II expendable launch vehicle  
- COSPAR ID: 2011-061E; also known as AubieSat-OSCAR-71 or OSCAR-71  
- One of several university-built CubeSats contributing to educational space missions  
- Has a sitelink count of 3 across Wikimedia projects  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is AubieSat-1?  
A: AubieSat-1 is a CubeSat satellite built and operated by Auburn University. It was launched into orbit on October 28, 2011, as part of a mission to advance student involvement in space technology and research.

### Q: Who built and operates AubieSat-1?  
A: AubieSat-1 was developed and is operated by Auburn University, located in Auburn, Alabama, United States.

### Q: How was AubieSat-1 launched into space?  
A: AubieSat-1 was launched on October 28, 2011, using a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 in California.

## Why It Matters  
AubieSat-1 exemplifies the growing trend of university-led space exploration initiatives enabled by CubeSat technology. These small satellites provide cost-effective platforms for scientific research, technology demonstration, and hands-on training for students in aerospace engineering and related fields. By participating in such missions, institutions like Auburn University contribute to democratizing access to space while fostering innovation and workforce development in STEM disciplines. AubieSat-1 specifically supports academic goals through practical engagement with satellite systems, offering real-world experience that complements traditional classroom learning.

## Notable For  
- First CubeSat launched by Auburn University  
- Part of the OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) program under the call sign OSCAR-71  
- Demonstrates successful deployment of a student-developed satellite via NASA’s ELaNa (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites) program  
- Represents collaboration between academia and federal agencies in advancing space science  
- Symbolizes the accessibility of space missions through standardized CubeSat platforms  

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
AubieSat-1 was designed and constructed by students and faculty at Auburn University as part of their participation in NASA's Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) initiative. Its primary purpose was to serve as an educational platform for training future aerospace professionals and conducting amateur radio communications.

### Technical Specifications  
As a CubeSat, AubieSat-1 conforms to the standard modular form factor consisting of 10 cm cubic units. While exact subsystem details are not specified in available sources, typical CubeSats include components such as communication radios, power systems (e.g., solar panels), onboard computers, and attitude control mechanisms.

### Launch Details  
- **Launch Date:** October 28, 2011  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (a retired expendable launch system)  
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2, California  
- **Deployment Method:** Secondary payload alongside other CubeSats during a dedicated NASA ELaNa mission flight  

### Operational Status  
There is no indication in available documentation regarding the current operational status of AubieSat-1 beyond its initial deployment phase. Like many early CubeSats, its lifespan likely depended on battery life and orbital decay factors inherent to low Earth orbit operations.

### Significance Within CubeSat Development  
AubieSat-1 contributes to the broader CubeSat movement that has transformed how universities and smaller organizations engage with space-based research. By lowering barriers to entry—both financial and technical—it enables more diverse participants to develop functional spacecraft and gain valuable experience in mission design, integration, testing, and operation.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report