# BelKA

> failed Belarusian Earth satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q379105](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q379105)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BelKA)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/belka

## Summary
BelKA was a Belarusian Earth observation satellite that failed shortly after launch on July 26, 2006. It was developed by Belarus with assistance from Russia's Energia corporation and launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Dnepr rocket. The satellite had a mass of 750 kilograms and was intended to be operated by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

## Key Facts
- Launched on July 26, 2006 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109
- Mass of 750 kilograms
- Developed by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
- Operated by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
- Launched aboard a Dnepr rocket (converted ICBM)
- Instance of spacecraft
- Country of origin: Belarus
- Freebase ID: /m/05sb78
- Available in 9 Wikipedia language editions
- Has 14 sitelinks on Wikidata

## FAQs
### Q: What was BelKA?
A: BelKA was a Belarusian Earth observation satellite that failed shortly after its launch on July 26, 2006. It was developed by Belarus with Russian assistance and had a mass of 750 kilograms.

### Q: Who operated BelKA?
A: The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus was the operator of the BelKA satellite.

### Q: When and how was BelKA launched?
A: BelKA was launched on July 26, 2006 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109 aboard a Dnepr rocket, which is a converted Satan ICBM used as a satellite launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
BelKA represented Belarus's first attempt to develop and launch its own Earth observation satellite, marking an important milestone in the country's space program development. The project demonstrated Belarus's growing capabilities in satellite technology and its collaboration with Russia's space industry. Despite the failure, the experience gained from the BelKA project provided valuable knowledge for future Belarusian space endeavors and strengthened international cooperation in space technology. The satellite's development also highlighted the role of smaller nations in the global space industry and their ability to participate in advanced technological projects through international partnerships.

## Notable For
- First Belarusian-developed Earth observation satellite
- Mass of 750 kilograms, making it a significant payload for Belarus's space program
- Launched aboard a Dnepr rocket, a converted ICBM
- Developed through collaboration between Belarus and Russia's Energia corporation
- Operated by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

## Body
### Development and Construction
BelKA was developed by Belarus with technical assistance from Russia's S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. The satellite was designed as an Earth observation platform with a mass of 750 kilograms.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on July 26, 2006 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109. The launch vehicle was a Dnepr rocket, which is a converted Satan intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) repurposed for satellite launches.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 750 kg
- Classification: Earth observation satellite
- Developer: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
- Operator: National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

### International Collaboration
The BelKA project represented a significant international collaboration between Belarus and Russia in space technology. The involvement of Energia, a major Russian space corporation, in the development process highlighted the importance of international partnerships in space exploration for smaller nations.

### Documentation and References
The satellite's details are documented across multiple sources, including Wikipedia pages in nine different languages and Wikidata entries. The project is referenced in academic and technical documentation, with specific details about its mass, launch date, and development available through various sources.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013