# Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment > American microsatellite **Wikidata**: [Q135274626](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135274626) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Inner_Radiation_Belt_Experiment) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/colorado-inner-radiation-belt-experiment ## Summary The Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) is an American microsatellite launched in 2023 to study Earth's inner radiation belt. It was developed by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder and operated as a CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules. The mission ended in October 2024 when the satellite reentered Earth's atmosphere. ## Key Facts - **Type**: Microsatellite (CubeSat) - **Operator**: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) - **Launch Date**: April 15, 2023, at 06:47:39 UTC - **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1063.10) - **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East - **Satellite ID**: COSPAR ID 2023-054L, NORAD ID 56188 - **Mission End**: Atmospheric reentry on October 4, 2024 - **Aliases**: CIRBE, REPTile-2 - **Country of Origin**: United States - **Website**: [lasp.colorado.edu/cirbe/](https://lasp.colorado.edu/cirbe/) ## FAQs ### Q: What was the purpose of the Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment? A: CIRBE was designed to study Earth's inner radiation belt, a region of high-energy charged particles trapped by the planet's magnetic field. The mission aimed to gather data on the dynamics and behavior of these particles. ### Q: How was the satellite launched? A: CIRBE was launched on April 15, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. The booster used was B1063.10. ### Q: What was the lifespan of the CIRBE mission? A: The mission lasted approximately one year and ended when the satellite reentered Earth's atmosphere on October 4, 2024. ### Q: Who operated the CIRBE satellite? A: The satellite was operated by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder. ### Q: What was the relationship between CIRBE and previous missions? A: CIRBE followed the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment, another microsatellite mission led by LASP. ## Why It Matters The Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) was significant for its contribution to understanding Earth's radiation belts, which are crucial for protecting spacecraft and astronauts from harmful radiation. By studying the inner radiation belt, CIRBE provided valuable data on the dynamics of charged particles in the magnetosphere, which can affect satellite operations, communications, and even human spaceflight. The mission also demonstrated the capabilities of CubeSats in conducting advanced space science research, despite their small size. The data collected by CIRBE will help improve models of the radiation environment and enhance the safety of future space missions. ## Notable For - **First CubeSat mission** to study Earth's inner radiation belt. - **Operated by LASP**, a leading institution in space physics research. - **Launched on a Falcon 9 Block 5**, showcasing SpaceX's reliability in small satellite deployments. - **Ended with atmospheric reentry**, marking the conclusion of its one-year mission. - **Followed the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment**, continuing LASP's tradition of educational space missions. ## Body ### Mission Overview The Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) was a microsatellite mission launched on April 15, 2023, to study Earth's inner radiation belt. Developed by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder, CIRBE was a CubeSat, a type of miniaturized satellite made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules. The mission aimed to gather data on the dynamics and behavior of high-energy charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field. ### Launch Details CIRBE was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. The booster used was B1063.10, which had previously supported multiple missions. The launch occurred at 06:47:39 UTC on April 15, 2023. The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 2023-054L and the NORAD ID 56188. ### Mission Duration and End The mission lasted approximately one year, with the satellite reentering Earth's atmosphere on October 4, 2024. The reentry marked the end of the mission, which had successfully collected data on the inner radiation belt. ### Relationship to Previous Missions CIRBE followed the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment, another microsatellite mission led by LASP. This succession of missions highlights LASP's commitment to advancing space science through innovative and educational satellite projects. ### Scientific Contributions CIRBE's data contributed to the understanding of Earth's radiation belts, which are critical for protecting spacecraft and astronauts from harmful radiation. The mission demonstrated the effectiveness of CubeSats in conducting complex space science research, despite their small size. The findings from CIRBE will help improve models of the radiation environment and enhance the safety of future space missions. ## References 1. NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive 2. Jonathan's Space Report 3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=56188)