# CXBN 2

> Nanosatellite

**Wikidata**: [Q109941204](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109941204)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CXBN-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cxbn-2

## Summary
CXBN 2 (also written CXBN-2) is a United States nanosatellite operated by Morehead State University and designated Cosmic X‑ray Background Nanosatellite‑2. It was launched on 2017-04-18 on an Atlas V 401 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 and carried the satellite catalog number (SCN) 42704 and COSPAR ID 1998-067LM.

## Key Facts
- Official names/aliases: CXBN 2; CXBN-2; Cosmic X‑ray Background Nanosatellite‑2; Cosmic X‑ray Background Nanosatellite 2.
- Instance of: artificial satellite (nanosatellite).
- Operator: Morehead State University (United States).
- Launch date: 2017-04-18.
- Launch vehicle: Atlas V 401.
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 42704.
- COSPAR ID / NSSDC AID: 1998-067LM.
- Mission end time (end of operations): 2019-03-01.
- Follows / is a successor to: CXBN (earlier CXBN nanosatellite).
- Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NanoRacks_CubeSat_deploying_CXBN-2_and_IceCube.jpg
- Country of origin: United States.
- Wikipedia title: CXBN-2.

## FAQs
### Q: What is CXBN 2?
A: CXBN 2 is a United States nanosatellite (small artificial satellite) operated by Morehead State University. Its full name/alias is Cosmic X‑ray Background Nanosatellite‑2 (CXBN-2).

### Q: When was CXBN 2 launched and when did it stop operating?
A: CXBN 2 was launched on April 18, 2017. Its recorded end time (mission end) is March 1, 2019.

### Q: Who launched CXBN 2 and from where?
A: CXBN 2 was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

### Q: How is CXBN 2 identified in satellite catalogs?
A: CXBN 2 is cataloged with Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 42704 and COSPAR ID 1998-067LM (also listed as the NSSDC identifier).

## Why It Matters
CXBN 2 represents a class of university-operated nanosatellites that enable focused space research and hands-on student involvement in spacecraft development and operations. As a follow-on to the earlier CXBN satellite, CXBN 2 continues a project lineage identified by the name "Cosmic X‑ray Background Nanosatellite", indicating its role within a program aimed at studying the cosmic X‑ray background (as reflected in its name). Its launch on a full-scale Atlas V 401 demonstrates the integration of small satellites into larger rideshare and deployment missions, making space access more routine for academic and technology-demonstration payloads. Operated by Morehead State University, CXBN 2 contributes to institutional capabilities in mission design, satellite operations, and data handling, and it serves as an example of how nanosatellites are used by universities to advance space science and train the next generation of engineers and scientists.

## Notable For
- Being a university-operated nanosatellite (operator: Morehead State University).
- Bearing the name and role in the CXBN series as Cosmic X‑ray Background Nanosatellite‑2, following the original CXBN.
- Launch aboard a medium‑to‑heavy launch vehicle (Atlas V 401) from Cape Canaveral SLC‑41 on 2017-04-18.
- Cataloged internationally with SCN 42704 and COSPAR ID 1998-067LM.
- Recorded mission end on 2019-03-01.

## Body

### Overview
- CXBN 2 is an artificial satellite in the nanosatellite category.
- It is also referred to as CXBN-2 and Cosmic X‑ray Background Nanosatellite‑2.
- The satellite is associated with the United States and operated by Morehead State University.

### Identifiers and classification
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 42704.
- COSPAR ID: 1998-067LM.
- NSSDC identifier: 1998-067LM.
- Wikidata/Wolfram: listed under entity code Entity["Satellite", "42704"].
- Classified as an artificial satellite (nanosatellite).

### Launch details
- Launch date: 2017-04-18.
- Launch vehicle: Atlas V 401.
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- The satellite was deployed as part of a mission that placed it into orbit under the COSPAR designation 1998-067LM.

### Operator and program heritage
- Operator: Morehead State University.
- CXBN 2 follows an earlier satellite in the same program, CXBN (the original CXBN nanosatellite), indicating it is part of a series.

### Mission duration and status
- Start (launch) date: 2017-04-18.
- End time (mission end): 2019-03-01.
- The provided records indicate the satellite's operational timeline between those dates.

### Visual / media
- Publicly available image: NanoRacks CubeSat deployer deploying CXBN-2 and IceCube — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NanoRacks_CubeSat_deploying_CXBN-2_and_IceCube.jpg

### References and data sources (as recorded in structured properties)
- SCN and catalog data referenced via satellite tracking listings (SCN 42704).
- Mission and technical summary details referenced in nanosatellite directories listing CXBN-2.
- Launch vehicle association: Atlas V 401.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/cxbn-2.html)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com//satellite/?s=42704)
4. [Source](https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/cxbn-2)