# Aura

> NASA Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q23649](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23649)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aura_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aura

## Summary
Aura is a NASA Earth observation satellite specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit. Launched on July 15, 2004, the spacecraft is operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and serves as a component of the A-Train satellite formation. It was manufactured by TRW Inc. and has a total mass of 2,967 kilograms.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Aura is an Earth observation satellite (artificial satellite specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit).
- **Launch Date:** July 15, 2004, at 10:01:59 UTC.
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (specifically the D306 variant).
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer:** TRW Inc.
- **Mass:** 2,967 kilograms.
- **Spacecraft Bus:** T330.
- **Constellation:** Part of the "A-Train" satellite formation.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2004-026A; SCN 28376.
- **Aliases:** EOS CH-1, EOS Chem-1, EOS Chemistry-1, EOS-Aura, AURA.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Aura satellite launched?
A: Aura was launched on July 15, 2004. The launch took place at 10:01:59 UTC from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Aura?
A: The satellite was launched using a Delta II rocket, specifically variant D306. The Delta II is a retired expendable launch system that was part of the Delta rocket family.

### Q: Who manufactured and operates the Aura satellite?
A: Aura was manufactured by TRW Inc. and is operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: What is the Aura satellite's role in the A-Train?
A: Aura is a component of the "A-Train," a satellite constellation allowing for coordinated Earth observation.

## Why It Matters
Aura represents a significant commitment by NASA to long-term Earth observation. Weighing nearly three tons (2,967 kg), it is a substantial platform designed to gather critical data from orbit. As part of the A-Train constellation, it contributes to a coordinated scientific effort to monitor the Earth's atmospheric and environmental systems.

The satellite's development and deployment involved major aerospace entities, having been manufactured by TRW Inc. and launched on the reliable Delta II system. Its identification as "EOS Chem-1" (Earth Observing System Chemistry-1) in its aliases indicates its specific focus within NASA's broader Earth Science program, distinguishing it as a key asset for chemical and atmospheric analysis from space.

## Notable For
- **A-Train Membership:** It is a distinct part of the A-Train, a coordinated satellite constellation.
- **Specific Designation:** Known by the alias EOS Chemistry-1, highlighting its specific observational focus.
- **Mass:** At 2,967 kg, it is a heavy-class Earth observation satellite.
- **Launch Precision:** It was successfully placed in orbit using the specific Delta II D306 configuration.
- **Heritage:** Built on the T330 spacecraft bus by TRW Inc.

## Body
### Origin and Development
Aura is a spacecraft of United States origin, classified as an Earth observation satellite. It was constructed by the manufacturer **TRW Inc.** utilizing a **T330 spacecraft bus**. The development was managed by the **National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)**, which serves as the operator for the mission.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite has a recorded mass of **2,967 kilograms**. It is tracked under the COSPAR ID **2004-026A** and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **28376**. The spacecraft is also known by several historical aliases, including **EOS CH-1**, **EOS Chem-1**, **EOS Chemistry-1**, **EOS-Aura**, and **AURA**.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on **July 15, 2004**, at precisely **10:01:59** time. The launch occurred at **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West**. The launch vehicle used to deploy Aura was a **Delta II**, a now-retired expendable launch system from the Delta rocket family, flying in the **D306** configuration.

### Operational Context
Once in orbit, Aura joined the **A-Train** constellation as a "part_of" component. The Wolfram Language entity code for the satellite is `Entity["Satellite", "28376"]`. Visual documentation of the spacecraft includes a 3D model file (`Aura_27.stl`) and images available in the Wikimedia Commons category "Aura (spacecraft)."

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/eos-chem-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013