# DAVE

> satellite testing tungsten metal dampening

**Wikidata**: [Q60744902](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60744902)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damping_and_Vibrations_Experiment)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dave-q60744902

## Summary
DAVE (Damping And Vibrations Experiment) is a small U.S. satellite launched in 2018 to test tungsten metal dampening in space. It was a technology demonstration spacecraft designed to study vibration and damping effects in microgravity.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Technology demonstration spacecraft and small satellite (under 1,200 kg)
- **Launch date**: September 15, 2018, at 13:02 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West
- **Launch vehicle**: Delta II (model D381)
- **Country of origin**: United States
- **Satellite ID**: COSPAR ID 2018-070C, NORAD ID 43615
- **Deorbit date**: February 12, 2023 (atmospheric reentry)
- **Aliases**: CP-7, CP7, CalPoly CP7
- **Primary mission**: Testing tungsten metal dampening in space

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the DAVE satellite?
A: DAVE was designed to demonstrate and test tungsten metal dampening in space, a technology that could help reduce vibrations in spacecraft and satellites.

### Q: Who launched DAVE, and when?
A: DAVE was launched by the United States on September 15, 2018, using a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.

### Q: How long was DAVE in orbit?
A: DAVE remained in orbit until February 12, 2023, when it reentered the atmosphere.

### Q: What was unique about DAVE’s design?
A: DAVE was a small satellite (under 1,200 kg) specifically built to test tungsten metal dampening, a novel approach to vibration control in space.

### Q: Was DAVE part of a larger program?
A: DAVE was part of the CalPoly CubeSat Program, as indicated by its aliases CP-7 and CP7.

## Why It Matters
DAVE played a crucial role in advancing space technology by demonstrating the effectiveness of tungsten metal dampening in microgravity. This innovation could improve the stability and performance of future spacecraft, particularly in reducing unwanted vibrations that affect satellite operations. As a technology demonstration mission, DAVE contributed valuable data to the field of aerospace engineering, helping to refine materials and designs for long-term space missions. Its relatively short operational period (2018–2023) highlights the rapid pace of satellite development and the continuous need for experimental missions to push the boundaries of space exploration.

## Notable For
- **First-of-its-kind test**: DAVE was one of the first satellites to specifically study tungsten metal dampening in space.
- **Small satellite innovation**: As a small satellite (under 1,200 kg), it demonstrated that experimental space technologies could be successfully deployed on compact platforms.
- **CalPoly CubeSat contribution**: DAVE was part of the CalPoly CubeSat Program, showcasing academic involvement in cutting-edge space research.
- **Delta II legacy**: Its launch on a Delta II rocket (model D381) helped extend the operational life of this retired launch system.
- **Microgravity materials research**: DAVE provided data on how tungsten behaves in space, potentially influencing future spacecraft design.

## Body
### Mission Overview
DAVE was a technology demonstration spacecraft launched to test tungsten metal dampening in microgravity. It was part of the CalPoly CubeSat Program, with the aliases CP-7 and CP7. The satellite was designed to study vibration and damping effects in space, which could improve the stability of future satellites.

### Launch Details
DAVE was launched on September 15, 2018, at 13:02 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West. It was carried into orbit by a Delta II rocket, specifically model D381. The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 2018-070C and NORAD ID 43615.

### Operational Period
DAVE remained operational until February 12, 2023, when it reentered the atmosphere. Its short operational lifespan was typical for technology demonstration missions, which often focus on proving concepts rather than long-term deployment.

### Significance
DAVE’s mission was significant because it tested a novel approach to vibration control in space using tungsten metal dampening. This could have applications in reducing unwanted vibrations in spacecraft, which can affect communication, imaging, and other critical functions. The satellite’s success contributed to the broader field of aerospace engineering by providing real-world data on material behavior in microgravity.

### Legacy
DAVE’s legacy lies in its role as a pioneer in tungsten dampening research and its contribution to small satellite technology. It demonstrated that experimental space technologies could be successfully deployed on compact platforms, paving the way for future innovations in satellite design. Additionally, its launch on a Delta II rocket helped extend the operational life of this retired launch system.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43615)