# CP-6

> single-unit CubeSat which was built and operated by the California Polytechnic State University

**Wikidata**: [Q5013578](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5013578)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CP6_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cp-6

## Summary
CP-6 is a single-unit CubeSat that was built and operated by the California Polytechnic State University. It was launched on 2009-05-19 aboard a Minotaur I rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and reentered the atmosphere on 2011-10-06.

## Key Facts
- CP-6 is a single-unit CubeSat built and operated by the California Polytechnic State University.
- As a CubeSat, it is part of the miniaturized satellite class composed of 10 cm-sided cubic modules.
- Launch date: 2009-05-19.
- Launch vehicle: Minotaur I.
- Launch site / start point: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Launch Pad 0.
- COSPAR ID: 2009-028C.
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 35003.
- Orbital decay / atmospheric entry date: 2011-10-06.
- Alternate names / aliases: PolySat-6, PolySat CP-6, CalPoly 6.
- Operator: California Polytechnic State University.

## FAQs
### Q: What is CP-6?
A: CP-6 is a single-unit CubeSat that was designed, built, and operated by the California Polytechnic State University.

### Q: When and how was CP-6 launched?
A: CP-6 was launched on 2009-05-19 aboard a Minotaur I launch vehicle from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0.

### Q: When did CP-6 reenter the atmosphere?
A: CP-6 underwent atmospheric entry (orbital decay) on 2011-10-06.

### Q: Under what identifiers is CP-6 cataloged?
A: CP-6 is cataloged with COSPAR ID 2009-028C and spacecraft catalog number (SCN) 35003.

## Why It Matters
CP-6 represents a concrete example of a university-built CubeSat platform. As a single-unit CubeSat constructed and operated by California Polytechnic State University, it reflects the hands-on satellite engineering and educational programs that make small-satellite missions accessible to academic teams. Its launch on 2009-05-19 aboard a Minotaur I from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport places it within the wave of early 21st-century CubeSat missions used for training, technology demonstration, and increasing access to space. The mission’s recorded lifetime—from launch to atmospheric entry on 2011-10-06—also provides a documented orbital duration for a student-built single-unit CubeSat. Together, these facts make CP-6 a useful data point for educators, satellite program managers, and historians tracking university CubeSat mission schedules, launch partnerships, and orbital lifetimes.

## Notable For
- Being a single-unit CubeSat built and operated by California Polytechnic State University.
- Launch aboard a Minotaur I from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0 on 2009-05-19.
- Having COSPAR ID 2009-028C and spacecraft catalog number 35003.
- Documented orbital lifetime with atmospheric entry on 2011-10-06.
- Known by multiple aliases: PolySat-6, PolySat CP-6, and CalPoly 6.

## Body
### Overview
- Name: CP-6 (also PolySat-6, PolySat CP-6, CalPoly 6).
- Description: single-unit CubeSat built and operated by the California Polytechnic State University.
- Wikipedia title: CP6 (satellite).

### Design and classification
- Instance of: CubeSat.
- CubeSat class detail: CubeSats are miniaturized satellites composed of 10 cm-sided cubic modules; CP-6 is a single such unit.
- Operator: California Polytechnic State University.

### Launch and mission timeline
- Launch date: 2009-05-19.
- Launch vehicle: Minotaur I.
- Launch site / start point: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Launch Pad 0.
- Significant launch event: rocket launch from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0 on 2009-05-19.

### End of mission
- Time of orbit decay / atmospheric entry: 2011-10-06.
- Significant end event: atmospheric entry on 2011-10-06.

### Identifiers and catalog data
- COSPAR ID: 2009-028C.
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 35003.
- Freebase ID: /m/05zzg13.

### Metadata
- Wikidata description: single-unit CubeSat which was built and operated by the California Polytechnic State University.
- Wikipedia languages listed: English, Spanish.
- Sitelink count: 2.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report