# IceCube

> Nanosatellite

**Wikidata**: [Q66202998](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q66202998)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IceCube_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/icecube

## Summary
IceCube is a nanosatellite classified as a CubeSat, operated by NASA, launched on April 18, 2017. It was deployed from the International Space Station as part of the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer and ceased operations on October 3, 2018.

## Key Facts
- **Class:** CubeSat and artificial satellite
- **Launch Date:** 2017-04-18
- **End Date:** 2018-10-03
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas V 401
- **Launch Location:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998-067LN
- **Nanosat Catalog Number:** 42705
- **Aliases:** Earth-1, ICECUBE

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is IceCube?
A: IceCube is a CubeSat, which is a specific type of nanosatellite composed of standardized 10cm cubic modules. It was classified as both a CubeSat and a general artificial satellite.

### Q: When did IceCube operate?
A: IceCube was launched on April 18, 2017, and ended its operational mission on October 3, 2018, resulting in a mission duration of approximately 5.5 months.

### Q: Who operated IceCube?
A: IceCube was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: Where did IceCube launch from?
A: IceCube launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

## Why It Matters
IceCube represents a significant step in the maturation of nanosatellite technology, particularly CubeSats, as a tool accessible to major space agencies like NASA. Its relatively short, focused mission, though brief, contributed valuable operational data on deploying and utilizing CubeSats in space. It demonstrated the feasibility of integrating smaller, more affordable satellites alongside larger missions, potentially lowering the barrier for scientific experimentation and technology demonstrations in orbit. Despite its brief operational life, IceCube serves as an example of NASA's involvement in advancing CubeSat capabilities for future space exploration and research.

## Notable For
- Being a CubeSat deployed as part of a NASA mission.
- Utilizing the Atlas V 401 launch vehicle for its deployment into orbit.
- Having a notably short mission lifespan, operating from April to October 2017.
- Being cataloged as a nanosatellite under number 42705.

## Body
### Classifications and Identification
- **Instance Of:** CubeSat, artificial satellite
- **Aliases:** Earth-1, ICECUBE
- **Nanosat Catalog Number:** 42705 (Reference: https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/icecube-earth.html)
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998-067LN (Reference: https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/icecube.htm)
- **Wikipedia Title:** IceCube (spacecraft)
- **Wikipedia Languages:** en
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11fmst90qf
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "42705"]
- **Sitelink Count:** 1 (on Wikipedia)

### Mission Details
- **Launch Date:** 2017-04-18 (Reference: https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/icecube-earth)
- **End Date:** 2018-10-03 (Reference: https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/icecube-earth)
- **Start Point:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas V 401 (Reference: Wikidata Q6272367)
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- **Country of Origin:** United States

### Technical Information
- **Image:** Available via Wikimedia Commons: [NanoRacks_CubeSat_deployer_deploying_CXBN-2_and_IceCube.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NanoRacks_CubeSat_deployer_deploying_CXBN-2_and_IceCube.jpg)

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/icecube.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/icecube-earth.html)
4. [Source](https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/icecube-earth)