# Compass-1

> German amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q167316](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167316)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/compass-1

## Summary
Compass-1 is a German amateur radio satellite and technology demonstration CubeSat operated by FH Aachen. It was launched on 2008-04-28 aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.

## Key Facts
- Compass-1 is a German amateur radio satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft.  
- Compass-1 is an instance of the COMPASS family of CubeSat satellites.  
- Operator: FH Aachen.  
- Launch date: 2008-04-28.  
- Launch vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.  
- Launch site / start point: Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.  
- COSPAR ID: 2008-021E.  
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 32787.  
- Other identifiers: Freebase ID /m/04q95mk; Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite","32787"].  
- Alternate name / alias: COMPASS 1.  
- Wikimedia Commons image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/COMPASS-1_PR-Bild.jpg

## FAQs
### Q: What is Compass-1?
A: Compass-1 is a German amateur radio satellite that also served as a technology demonstration spacecraft. It is part of the COMPASS family of CubeSats.

### Q: When and how was Compass-1 launched?
A: Compass-1 was launched on 2008-04-28 aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.

### Q: Who operates Compass-1?
A: Compass-1 is operated by FH Aachen.

### Q: What identifiers does Compass-1 have?
A: Compass-1 has COSPAR ID 2008-021E, Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 32787, Freebase ID /m/04q95mk, and Wolfram Language entity code Entity["Satellite","32787"].

## Why It Matters
Compass-1 combines two important roles in small-satellite activity: providing amateur radio communications and serving as a platform for demonstrating experimental technologies. As a member of the COMPASS family of CubeSats and operated by FH Aachen, Compass-1 represents the use of compact, standardized satellite buses to test new hardware, software, or operational approaches at relatively low cost. Its launch aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 2008-04-28 placed the spacecraft into the growing population of small satellites that enabled more institutions to participate directly in space activities. For the amateur radio community, satellites like Compass-1 expand opportunities for satellite communications and hands-on engagement. For the broader satellite engineering and educational communities, technology demonstration CubeSats provide practical flight heritage and lessons that inform later designs and missions.

## Notable For
- Being a German amateur radio satellite and technology demonstration spacecraft.  
- Membership in the COMPASS family of CubeSat satellites.  
- Operation by FH Aachen.  
- Launch on 2008-04-28 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.  
- Carrying identifiers COSPAR ID 2008-021E and Satellite Catalog Number 32787.

## Body
### Overview
- Name: Compass-1 (alias COMPASS 1).  
- Nationality / description: German amateur radio satellite; technology demonstration spacecraft.  
- Family: COMPASS (a family of CubeSat satellites).

### Classification
- Instance of: COMPASS (CubeSat family); amateur radio satellite; technology demonstration spacecraft.  
- Role: Amateur radio transmissions and demonstration of experimental technologies.

### Launch
- Launch date: 2008-04-28.  
- Launch vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.  
- Launch site / start point: Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.  
- Significant event: rocket launch on 2008-04-28 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.

### Operator and Affiliations
- Operator: FH Aachen.  
- Sitelink presence: Wikipedia articles available in at least German, English, Italian, and Luxembourgish (de, en, it, lb).  
- Sitelink count: 4.

### Identifiers and External Data
- COSPAR ID: 2008-021E.  
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 32787.  
- Freebase ID: /m/04q95mk.  
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite","32787"].  
- Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/COMPASS-1_PR-Bild.jpg

### References
- Data derived from structured properties and class descriptions provided for Compass-1.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report