# BRITE-Heweliusz

> Polish nanosatellite observatory

**Wikidata**: [Q18164984](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18164984)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heweliusz_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brite-heweliusz

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **BRITE-Heweliusz**:

---

## Summary  
BRITE-Heweliusz is a Polish nanosatellite observatory designed for astronomical research and technology demonstration. It is part of the BRITE-Constellation mission, focusing on observing bright stars from low Earth orbit. The satellite was launched in 2014 and is operated by the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: August 19, 2014, at 03:15:04 UTC ([source](https://www.space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Mass**: 6.0 kg (launch weight) ([source](http://www.brite-pl.pl/pliki/satelita_en.html)).  
- **Operator**: Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, and Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 4B (flight Y27) from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center ([source](https://www.space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Manufacturers**: Space Research Centre (Poland) and UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory (Canada, spacecraft bus) ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Mission**: Part of BRITE-Constellation, observing bright stars ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Funding**: Supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education ([source](https://brite-constellation.at/constellation/basic_information/)).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the purpose of BRITE-Heweliusz?  
A: BRITE-Heweliusz is a nanosatellite observatory designed to study bright stars and demonstrate advanced space technologies.  

### Q: Who built BRITE-Heweliusz?  
A: It was jointly developed by Poland’s Space Research Centre and Canada’s UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory.  

### Q: When was BRITE-Heweliusz launched?  
A: It launched on August 19, 2014, aboard a Long March 4B rocket from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.  

## Why It Matters  
BRITE-Heweliusz represents Poland’s contribution to international space science, particularly in stellar astronomy. As part of the BRITE-Constellation, it helps study the brightness variations of massive stars, providing insights into stellar evolution and dynamics. Its small size (6 kg) demonstrates the feasibility of cost-effective nanosatellites for advanced scientific research. The mission also strengthens Poland’s role in global space exploration and collaboration with institutions like Canada’s UTIAS.  

## Notable For  
- **First Polish scientific satellite**: A milestone in Poland’s space program.  
- **Nanosatellite technology**: Demonstrates advanced capabilities in a compact design.  
- **International collaboration**: Jointly developed by Polish and Canadian institutions.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Part of the **BRITE-Constellation**, a group of nanosatellites observing bright stars ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- Focuses on photometric measurements of stellar brightness variations.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 6.0 kg ([source](http://www.brite-pl.pl/pliki/satelita_en.html)).  
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Gryphon, developed by UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (~800 km altitude).  

### Development and Launch  
- **Manufacturers**:  
  - Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences (primary).  
  - UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory (spacecraft bus) ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  
- **Launch**: August 19, 2014, via Long March 4B (Y27) from Taiyuan, China ([source](https://www.space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)).  

### Scientific Contributions  
- Provides high-precision photometry of bright stars.  
- Supports research on stellar pulsations, winds, and evolution.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "BRITE-Heweliusz",
  "description": "Polish nanosatellite observatory for astronomical research.",
  "url": "http://www.brite-pl.pl/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59246570",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heweliusz_(satellite)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Space Telescope"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/brite-pl.htm)
2. The BRITE Constellation Nanosatellite Mission: Testing, Commissioning, and Operations
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.utias-sfl.net/canx-3-brite-constellation/)
5. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/brite-canada#background)
6. [Source](http://www.brite-pl.pl/pliki/satelita_en.html)
7. [Source](https://brite-constellation.at/constellation/basic_information/)