# CanX-4

> Canadian technology demonstration nanosatellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111471675](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471675)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/canx-4

## Summary
CanX-4 is a Canadian technology-demonstration nanosatellite developed and operated by the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). It is a 15 kg small satellite, part of the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment programme, launched into a sun-synchronous orbit on 2014-06-30 aboard PSLV-C23.

## Key Facts
- Launched on 2014-06-30 at 04:22 UTC on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission PSLV-C23.  
- COSPAR ID: 2014-034C; NSSDC ID: 2014-034C.  
- Mass (launch weight): 15 kilograms.  
- Operator and manufacturer: University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).  
- Mission class: technology demonstration spacecraft and small satellite (nanosatellite).  
- Spacecraft bus: Gryphon.  
- Orbit type: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad.  
- Part of the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment programme.  
- Aliases: Can X-4; Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment 4; NLS 7.1; NLS7.1.  
- Official project page: https://www.utias-sfl.net/canx-4-and-canx-5/

## FAQs
### Q: What is CanX-4?
A: CanX-4 is a Canadian technology-demonstration nanosatellite developed and operated by UTIAS. It was built to demonstrate experimental technologies in low Earth, sun-synchronous orbit.

### Q: When and how was CanX-4 launched?
A: CanX-4 was launched on 2014-06-30 at 04:22 UTC aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on mission PSLV-C23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad.

### Q: Who built and operates CanX-4?
A: The University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) is both the manufacturer and operator of CanX-4.

### Q: What are CanX-4’s size and platform details?
A: CanX-4 had a launch mass of 15 kilograms and used the Gryphon spacecraft bus.

### Q: What programme is CanX-4 part of?
A: CanX-4 is part of the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment programme.

## Why It Matters
CanX-4 represents a focused, university-led effort to mature and demonstrate satellite technologies at the nanosatellite scale. As a technology demonstration spacecraft, it provided a flight environment for testing experimental hardware and concepts that are difficult to validate on the ground. Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit, CanX-4 contributed to the body of operational experience for small, low-cost satellites developed by academic institutions. Its development and operation by UTIAS illustrate a model for leveraging university research groups to design, build, and operate space missions. By being lightweight (15 kg) and using a standardized bus (Gryphon), CanX-4 also exemplifies the nanosatellite approach of reducing mission cost and complexity while enabling iterative technology development under coordinated national programmes such as the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment series.

## Notable For
- Being a UTIAS-developed technology demonstration nanosatellite in the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment programme.  
- Launch mass of 15 kg, characteristic of nanosatellite-class missions.  
- Use of the Gryphon spacecraft bus.  
- Ride to orbit on PSLV-C23 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad on 2014-06-30.  
- Operation in a sun-synchronous orbit under UTIAS control.

## Body

### Overview
- CanX-4 is a Canadian nanosatellite designed for technology demonstration.  
- It is part of the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment programme.  
- The project was developed, manufactured, and operated by the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).

### Design and specifications
- Launch mass: 15 kilograms (specified as launch weight).  
- Spacecraft bus: Gryphon.  
- Classification: technology demonstration spacecraft; small satellite (nanosatellite).  
- Aliases include Can X-4, Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment 4, NLS 7.1, and NLS7.1.

### Launch and deployment
- Launch date and time: 2014-06-30 at 04:22 UTC.  
- Launch vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), mission designation PSLV-C23.  
- Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad.  
- Noted significant event: rocket launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 2014-06-30.

### Orbit and mission
- Orbit type: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- Mission type: Technology demonstration (to demonstrate experimental satellite technologies in space).

### Operator, manufacturer, and program context
- Operator: University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).  
- Manufacturer: University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).  
- Program: Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment programme.

### Identifiers and catalog data
- COSPAR ID: 2014-034C.  
- NSSDC ID: 2014-034C.  
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 40055.  
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "40055"].  
- Official project webpage: https://www.utias-sfl.net/canx-4-and-canx-5/

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "CanX-4",
  "description": "CanX-4 is a Canadian technology-demonstration nanosatellite developed and operated by the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies.",
  "url": "https://www.utias-sfl.net/canx-4-and-canx-5/",
  "additionalType": "technology demonstration spacecraft"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/canx-4.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report