# DIDO-2
**Wikidata**: [Q29612141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29612141)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIDO-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dido-2

## Summary
DIDO-2 is a CubeSat satellite belonging to the DIDO satellites class, designed and operated by Space Pharma for conducting biological experiments in microgravity. It was successfully launched into orbit on February 15, 2017, aboard an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL). The satellite serves as a platform for scientific research in space, identified internationally by the Satellite Catalog Number 42000.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** February 15, 2017
- **Launch Vehicle:** Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL)
- **Classification:** Instance of DIDO satellites
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 42000
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017-008BE
- **Operator/Class:** Space Pharma (Cubesats for biological experiments)
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Titled "DIDO-2"; available in English and German
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11c73d99wj

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the DIDO-2 satellite?
A: DIDO-2 is a CubeSat designed specifically to facilitate biological experiments in a microgravity environment. It is part of the DIDO satellite class managed by Space Pharma.

### Q: When and how was DIDO-2 launched?
A: DIDO-2 was launched on February 15, 2017. It was deployed using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL), a model of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

### Q: How is DIDO-2 tracked in international satellite catalogs?
A: The satellite is tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 42000 and the COSPAR international designator 2017-008BE.

## Why It Matters
DIDO-2 represents a shift in space research towards smaller, more accessible platforms for scientific inquiry. As a CubeSat deployed by Space Pharma, it demonstrates the growing capability to conduct complex biological experiments in microgravity without the need for full-scale, crewed laboratory infrastructure. This allows for more frequent and cost-effective testing of pharmaceutical and biological processes in the unique environment of space.

The mission highlights the increasing role of commercial entities and specialized start-ups in the space sector. By utilizing the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL, the project also underscores international cooperation in providing ride-share opportunities for nanosatellites. The data gathered from DIDO-2 contributes to the understanding of how biological organisms and chemical reactions behave outside of Earth's gravity, which is vital for future long-duration space travel and the development of space-based medicine.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Function:** Distinguished as a dedicated platform for biological experiments in microgravity.
- **CubeSat Classification:** Utilizes the efficient CubeSat form factor for scientific research.
- **Specific Identifiers:** Uniquely assigned Satellite Catalog Number 42000.
- **Launch Platform:** Deployed via the powerful PSLV-XL variant of the Indian launch vehicle.
- **Multilingual Record:** Has established Wikipedia entries in both German and English.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Classification
DIDO-2 is classified as an instance of the "DIDO satellites" class. These are a series of CubeSats developed by Space Pharma, a company focused on providing microgravity environments for research. The primary objective of the DIDO-2 mission is to conduct biological experiments in space.

### Launch Details
The satellite underwent a significant lifecycle event with its rocket launch on February 15, 2017. The launch vehicle utilized was the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL), an enhanced version of the standard PSLV operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This launch placed the DIDO-2 into its designated orbital path.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and data management, DIDO-2 is assigned several standard identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017-008BE
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 42000
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "42000"]
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11c73d99wj

### Digital Presence
The entity maintains a digital footprint with a Wikipedia title of "DIDO-2" and is documented in two languages: English (en) and German (de). It has a sitelink count of 2 across these languages.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report