# BEIDOU 1

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111497657](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111497657)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/beidou-1

## Summary
BEIDOU 1 is an artificial satellite launched on October 30, 2000. It is also identified by the aliases CHINASAT 32 and BEIDOU-1 G1 and carries the COSPAR ID 2000-069A. As a human-made object placed into orbit, it functions within the broader class of spacecraft engineered for operations in space.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 30, 2000.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2000-069A.
- **Aliases**: CHINASAT 32, BEIDOU-1 G1.
- **Classification**: Instance of an artificial satellite.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 26599.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "26599"].
- **Definition**: A human-made object placed into orbit around a celestial body, typically the Earth, for purposes such as communication, navigation, or research.

## FAQs
### Q: What is BEIDOU 1?
A: BEIDOU 1 is an artificial satellite, which is a specific type of spacecraft designed to orbit a celestial body to perform tasks such as communication, navigation, or scientific observation.

### Q: When was BEIDOU 1 launched and what is its identifier?
A: The satellite was launched on October 30, 2000, and is officially designated by the COSPAR ID 2000-069A.

### Q: What other names is BEIDOU 1 known by?
A: The entity is also referred to as CHINASAT 32 and BEIDOU-1 G1 in various databases and registries.

### Q: How is BEIDOU 1 classified in space tracking systems?
A: It is cataloged as an artificial satellite with the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 26599 and is recognized in the Wolfram Language by the code Entity["Satellite", "26599"].

## Why It Matters
BEIDOU 1 represents a specific unit within the global infrastructure of artificial satellites that revolutionize modern life. Since the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, such objects have become indispensable for global communication, navigation systems like GPS, and scientific research. By contributing to the population of orbiting spacecraft, BEIDOU 1 plays a role in enabling real-time weather monitoring, internet connectivity, and military support, which are critical components of contemporary international operations and technology.

## Notable For
- **Specific Identification**: Distinguished by the COSPAR ID 2000-069A, assigned to track its launch and orbit.
- **Launch Date**: Launched on October 30, 2000, during a period of expanding satellite constellations.
- **Cataloging**: Holds the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 26599, a unique identifier used in space tracking.
- **Nomenclature**: Recognized by multiple aliases, including CHINASAT 32 and BEIDOU-1 G1.
- **Class Membership**: A verified instance of an artificial satellite, a class of spacecraft that includes everything from passive communication reflectors to complex military systems.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
BEIDOU 1 is classified as an artificial satellite, a human-made object placed into orbit around a celestial body, typically the Earth. This classification distinguishes it as a subclass of spacecraft specifically engineered to operate in space. Artificial satellites serve various purposes, including communication, navigation, scientific research, and military applications. The concept began with the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, which marked the beginning of the space age and established the framework for all subsequent satellites, including BEIDOU 1.

### Identification and Technical Specifications
The entity is formally registered with several technical identifiers used by the scientific and aerospace communities. It carries the COSPAR ID 2000-069A, a international designation used to identify specific space objects. Additionally, it is assigned the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 26599. In computational systems such as the Wolfram Language, it is referenced by the entity code Entity["Satellite", "26599"]. The satellite is also known by the aliases CHINASAT 32 and BEIDOU-1 G1, reflecting different naming conventions used by various organizations or tracking systems.

### Launch and Orbital Context
BEIDOU 1 was launched on October 30, 2000. While the specific orbital path (e.g., geostationary, low Earth orbit, or heliocentric) for this satellite is not detailed in the provided data, artificial satellites generally maintain orbit through a balance of gravitational pull and forward velocity. This launch date places the satellite decades after the first artificial satellite and subsequent milestones like Project Echo (1960) and PAGEOS (1966), situating it within the modern era of space utilization.

### Role in Satellite Infrastructure
As a member of the artificial satellite class, BEIDOU 1 falls into a category that includes diverse types such as passive satellites, tethered satellites, and miniaturized variants like femtosatellites. Satellites in this class are essential for a wide range of applications, including acting as a backbone for global communication (television, internet, telephony), supporting navigation systems, conducting scientific research on Earth's atmosphere and climate, and providing military capabilities. Although the specific mission profile of BEIDOU 1 is defined here by its identification data, its existence contributes to the thousands of satellites that orbit Earth today.

## References

1. CelesTrak