# Graham

> satellite operated by NASA

**Wikidata**: [Q13407657](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13407657)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/graham

## Summary
Graham (also known as PhoneSat 1.0a) is a CubeSat nanosatellite operated by NASA's Ames Research Center. It served as a prototype for the PhoneSat project, an initiative to build low-cost satellites using consumer-grade smartphones. Graham was launched aboard the Antares rocket on April 21, 2013.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Graham is a CubeSat, a type of miniaturized satellite composed of 10cm-sided cubic modules.
- **Operator:** The satellite is operated by the Ames Research Center.
- **Parent Project:** It is part of the NASA PhoneSat project, which focuses on creating nanosatellites using off-the-shelf consumer smartphones.
- **Launch Date:** April 21, 2013.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It launched aboard the Antares rocket (produced by Northrop Grumman).
- **Launch Site:** Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2013-016E; Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 39146.
- **Aliases:** PhoneSat 1.0a, PhoneSat v1a, GRAHAM.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Graham satellite?
A: Graham was developed as part of NASA's PhoneSat project to demonstrate the feasibility of using consumer-grade smartphones as the primary avionics for nanosatellites.

### Q: When and how was Graham launched?
A: Graham was launched on April 21, 2013, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0 aboard an Antares launch vehicle.

### Q: What type of satellite is Graham?
A: Graham is a CubeSat, which is a standardized class of miniaturized satellites built from 10cm-sided cubic modules.

## Why It Matters
Graham represents a significant step in the democratization and cost-reduction of space exploration. As part of the PhoneSat project, it exemplified a shift in aerospace engineering toward utilizing Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) consumer electronics—specifically smartphones—to power spacecraft.

Traditional satellites often require bespoke, radiation-hardened components that are extremely expensive and take years to develop. By proving that a consumer-grade smartphone could function in the harsh environment of space, Graham helped validate a new paradigm for low-cost, rapid-development missions. This approach allows for more frequent testing of technologies and opens access to space for a wider range of scientific and educational organizations. The success of such missions influences modern small satellite design, emphasizing modularity and the use of mass-market processors to handle complex computing tasks in orbit.

## Notable For
- **Consumer Technology Integration:** Being an early NASA prototype utilizing consumer-grade smartphone technology for spacecraft avionics.
- **Cost Efficiency:** Demonstrating the viability of low-cost nanosatellite development within the PhoneSat initiative.
- **Launch Platform:** Being one of the payloads for the Antares launch vehicle, produced by Northrop Grumman.
- **Standardization:** Serving as a working example of the CubeSat standard (10cm-sided modules).

## Body

### Mission Identity and Design
Graham is a nanosatellite categorized under the **CubeSat** class, a standard for miniaturized satellites made of 10 cm-sided cubic modules. It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **39146** and the COSPAR ID **2013-016E**. The satellite is also known by the aliases **PhoneSat 1.0a**, **PhoneSat v1a**, and **GRAHAM**. It was operated by NASA's **Ames Research Center**.

### The PhoneSat Project
Graham was a component of the **PhoneSat** project (specifically the "PhoneSat 1.0" generation). This NASA initiative aimed to create functional satellites using consumer-grade smartphones. The project sought to leverage the high processing power, memory, and sensors inherent in modern mobile phones to reduce the cost and complexity of satellite development.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on **April 21, 2013**. The launch vehicle used was the **Antares** rocket, a launch system produced by Northrop Grumman from the United States. The specific launch site was the **Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0**. This event is cataloged as a significant rocket launch event in the satellite's history.

### Technical Specifications
- **Form Factor:** CubeSat (10 cm cubic modules).
- **Avionics:** Consumer-grade smartphone (PhoneSat architecture).
- **Operator:** Ames Research Center.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "39146"]`

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report