# Bevo-2

> failed American 3U CubeSat

**Wikidata**: [Q111471453](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471453)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bevo-2

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Bevo-2**:

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## Summary  
Bevo-2 was a failed American 3U CubeSat developed by the University of Texas at Austin as part of the Low Earth Orbiting Navigation Experiment for Spacecraft Testing Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking (LONESTAR) program. Launched in 2015 aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket, it decayed in Earth's atmosphere in 2017 after failing to achieve its mission objectives.

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## Key Facts  
- **Type**: 3U CubeSat (miniaturized satellite with three 10 cm cubic modules).  
- **Launch Date**: December 6, 2015, at 21:44:57 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas V 401 (mission AV-061), as a secondary payload on Cygnus CRS OA-4.  
- **Operator/Manufacturer**: University of Texas at Austin.  
- **Mass**: 4.2 kg (launch weight).  
- **Dimensions**: 34.05 cm (length) × 11.516 cm (width) × 113.0 cm (height).  
- **Power System**: Solar arrays and six lithium polymer batteries.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1998-067HQ; NSSDCA ID: 1998067HQ.  
- **Decay Date**: June 13, 2017 (~16:44 UTC).  

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## FAQs  
### Q: What was Bevo-2's mission?  
A: Bevo-2 was part of the LONESTAR program, testing autonomous rendezvous and docking technologies for small satellites in low Earth orbit.  

### Q: Why did Bevo-2 fail?  
A: While specific failure details aren't provided, the satellite decayed prematurely in 2017 without completing its mission.  

### Q: How big was Bevo-2?  
A: It measured 34.05 cm × 11.516 cm × 113.0 cm and weighed 4.2 kg, conforming to the 3U CubeSat standard.  

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## Why It Matters  
Bevo-2 represented advancements in CubeSat technology, particularly in autonomous navigation and docking—a critical capability for future space missions, including satellite servicing and debris mitigation. Despite its failure, the mission contributed to the growing body of knowledge around small satellite operations. Its development by a university also highlights the role of academic institutions in space research, offering cost-effective platforms for experimentation. The satellite’s brief lifespan underscores the challenges of CubeSat reliability in the harsh space environment.  

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## Notable For  
- **Academic Origin**: Developed by the University of Texas at Austin, showcasing university-led space innovation.  
- **Autonomous Testing**: Aimed to advance autonomous rendezvous and docking technologies for small satellites.  
- **Secondary Payload**: Launched alongside Cygnus CRS OA-4, demonstrating CubeSats' role as secondary payloads.  

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## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- Launched on December 6, 2015, aboard Atlas V 401 (AV-061) from Cape Canaveral SLC-41.  
- Deployed into orbit on January 29, 2016, as part of the Cygnus CRS OA-4 mission.  

### Design Specifications  
- **Structure**: 3U CubeSat (three stacked 10 cm cubes).  
- **Power**: Solar arrays and six lithium polymer batteries.  
- **Dimensions**: 34.05 cm × 11.516 cm × 11.516 cm (single-unit width/height expanded to 113.0 cm when deployed).  

### Mission Failure and Decay  
- Failed to achieve primary objectives; reasons unspecified.  
- Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on June 13, 2017, after ~18 months in orbit.  

### Program Context  
- Part of the LONESTAR program, alongside AggieSat4, focusing on autonomous navigation experiments.  

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bevo-2.htm)
2. [Source](http://www.orbitalfocus.uk/Diaries/Launches/Launches.php?year=2016#I01)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=147772)
5. [Source](https://spaceflight101.com/re-entry/re-entry-bevo-2/)
6. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1998067HQ)
7. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=41314)