# EQUiSat

> CubeSat operated by Brown Space Engineering

**Wikidata**: [Q17155947](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17155947)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EQUiSat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/equisat

## Summary  
EQUiSat is a CubeSat—a miniaturized 10 cm‑sided satellite—operated by Brown Space Engineering. It was launched into orbit on 21 May 2018 aboard a Northrop Grumman Antares launch vehicle and is catalogued under the COSPAR ID 1998‑067PA.

## Key Facts  
- **Operator:** Brown Space Engineering.  
- **Satellite class:** CubeSat (10 cm cubic modules).  
- **Launch date:** 21 May 2018.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Antares (Northrop Grumman).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998‑067PA.  
- **Space‑Track catalog number (SCN):** 43552.  
- **Wikidata description:** “CubeSat operated by Brown Space Engineering.”  
- **Wikipedia entry:** *EQUiSat* (English).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is EQUiSat?  
**A:** EQUiSat is a CubeSat—a small, 10 cm‑sided satellite—developed and operated by the student team Brown Space Engineering.  

### Q: When and how was EQUiSat launched?  
**A:** EQUiSat was launched on 21 May 2018 aboard a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket as part of a larger payload.  

### Q: Who built and operates EQUiSat?  
**A:** The satellite was built and is operated by Brown Space Engineering, a student‑run organization at Brown University.  

### Q: What identifiers are associated with EQUiSat?  
**A:** EQUiSat’s official identifiers are COSPAR ID 1998‑067PA and Space‑Track catalog number 43552.  

### Q: What type of mission does EQUiSat perform?  
**A:** As a CubeSat, EQUiSat serves as a technology‑demonstration and educational platform for the Brown Space Engineering team.  

## Why It Matters  
EQUiSat exemplifies the growing role of university‑led CubeSat projects in expanding access to space. By leveraging the compact, cost‑effective CubeSat form factor, Brown Space Engineering provided its students with hands‑on experience in satellite design, integration, and operations—skills that are increasingly valuable in the commercial and scientific space sectors. The launch aboard a proven Antares vehicle demonstrated that academic teams can successfully partner with major launch providers, reinforcing the viability of small‑satellite missions for research, technology validation, and educational outreach. EQUiSat’s presence in orbit contributes to the broader ecosystem of low‑cost spacecraft that enable rapid experimentation, data collection, and the democratization of space exploration.  

## Notable For  
- First Brown Space Engineering satellite to reach orbit.  
- Launched on a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, a vehicle typically used for larger payloads.  
- Assigned a unique COSPAR ID (1998‑067PA) and Space‑Track catalog number (43552).  
- Serves as a practical educational platform for undergraduate and graduate students.  
- Part of the expanding class of CubeSats that illustrate the feasibility of low‑cost space missions.  

## Body  

### Overview  
EQUiSat is a CubeSat, a standardized small satellite built from 10 cm‑sided cubic units. It is operated by Brown Space Engineering, a student organization at Brown University that designs, builds, and manages satellite missions.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 21 May 2018.  
- **Vehicle:** Antares, a launch vehicle manufactured by Northrop Grumman in the United States.  
- **Mission context:** EQUiSat was one of several payloads on the Antares launch, sharing the ride to low‑Earth orbit.  

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance of:** CubeSat (per Wikidata).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998‑067PA, the international identifier for the launch and payload.  
- **Space‑Track Catalog Number (SCN):** 43552, used for tracking the object in orbit.  

### Operator – Brown Space Engineering  
Brown Space Engineering is responsible for the satellite’s design, integration, testing, and on‑orbit operations. The project provides students with real‑world experience in systems engineering, mission planning, and data analysis.  

### Identification & Documentation  
- **Wikidata entry:** Described as “CubeSat operated by Brown Space Engineering.”  
- **Wikipedia page:** *EQUiSat* (English language).  
- **Image reference:** A rendered image of the satellite is available at the Wikimedia Commons link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Render3-3-13.JPG.  

### Significance in the CubeSat Landscape  
EQUiSat illustrates how academic teams can contribute to the rapidly expanding CubeSat community, offering low‑cost platforms for technology demonstration, scientific experiments, and educational outreach. Its successful launch on a major commercial vehicle underscores the increasing accessibility of space for university‑level projects.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report