# Ionospheric Connection Explorer

> NASA atmospheric observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6063761](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6063761)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionospheric_Connection_Explorer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ionospheric-connection-explorer

## Summary
The **Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON)** is a NASA atmospheric observation satellite designed to study Earth's ionosphere and its interactions with terrestrial weather and space weather. Launched in 2019, it is part of NASA's Explorer program and operates in low Earth orbit to gather data on ionospheric dynamics.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 11, 2019, at 00:31 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip.
- **Operator**: Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley.
- **Mass**: 288 kg (launch weight), with a payload mass of 130 kg.
- **Dimensions**: Height of 193 cm and diameter of 106.7 cm.
- **Mission Cost**: $252 million (as of 2019).
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Pegasus air-launched rocket (F44/N51).
- **Manufacturer**: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and Space Sciences Laboratory.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Star Bus (LEOStar-2).
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array generating 265 watts.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON)?
A: ICON is designed to study Earth's ionosphere, focusing on how it interacts with terrestrial weather and space weather. It aims to improve our understanding of ionospheric dynamics and their impact on communications and navigation systems.

### Q: When was ICON launched?
A: ICON was launched on October 11, 2019, at 00:31 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip.

### Q: Who operates the Ionospheric Connection Explorer?
A: The Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley operates ICON.

### Q: What is the mass of the ICON satellite?
A: The launch weight of ICON is 288 kg, with a payload mass of 130 kg.

### Q: What happened to ICON in November 2022?
A: On November 25, 2022, NASA lost contact with the ICON spacecraft, resulting in a loss of signal.

## Why It Matters
The Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the ionosphere, a region of Earth's upper atmosphere that is critical for radio communications and navigation systems. By studying the interactions between the ionosphere and both terrestrial weather and space weather, ICON provides valuable data that can help improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and the reliability of communication and navigation technologies. This mission is particularly important in an era where space weather can significantly impact satellite operations and ground-based infrastructure. ICON's findings contribute to the broader field of space science and help mitigate the effects of space weather on modern technology.

## Notable For
- **First Mission of Its Kind**: ICON is the first NASA mission dedicated to studying the ionosphere's interactions with terrestrial and space weather.
- **Advanced Instrumentation**: Equipped with state-of-the-art instruments to measure ionospheric dynamics.
- **Part of the Explorer Program**: ICON is part of NASA's Explorer program, which focuses on cost-effective, highly focused scientific missions.
- **Significant Data Contribution**: Provides critical data for improving weather forecasts and understanding space weather impacts.
- **Loss of Signal**: Notable for the loss of signal event in November 2022, highlighting the challenges of space missions.

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) is a NASA satellite designed to study Earth's ionosphere. Launched on October 11, 2019, ICON aims to understand the interactions between the ionosphere and both terrestrial weather and space weather. The mission is part of NASA's Explorer program, which focuses on cost-effective, highly focused scientific missions.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 288 kg (launch weight), 130 kg (payload mass).
- **Dimensions**: Height of 193 cm and diameter of 106.7 cm.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array generating 265 watts.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Star Bus (LEOStar-2).
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit.

### Launch and Operation
ICON was launched using a Pegasus air-launched rocket (F44/N51) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip. The satellite is operated by the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. The mission cost was approximately $252 million as of 2019.

### Significant Events
- **Launch**: October 11, 2019, at 00:31 UTC.
- **Loss of Signal**: November 25, 2022, when NASA lost contact with the spacecraft.

### Scientific Contributions
ICON provides valuable data on ionospheric dynamics, which is crucial for improving weather forecasts and understanding the impacts of space weather on communication and navigation systems. The mission's findings contribute to the broader field of space science and help mitigate the effects of space weather on modern technology.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ionospheric Connection Explorer",
  "description": "NASA atmospheric observation satellite designed to study Earth's ionosphere and its interactions with terrestrial weather and space weather.",
  "url": "https://icon.ssl.berkeley.edu/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q177837", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionospheric_Connection_Explorer"],
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## References

1. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/icon_presskit_june2018_pages_final.pdf)
2. [Source](https://news.berkeley.edu/2013/04/16/uc-berkeley-selected-to-build-nasas-next-space-weather-satellite/)
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/explorer.htm)
4. [Source](https://www.space.com/nasa-icon-space-weather-satellite-mission-pictures.html)
5. [Source](https://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/midex.html)
6. Jonathan's Space Report
7. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_icon.htm)
8. [Source](https://icon.ssl.berkeley.edu/Portals/devIcon/GeneralDocuments/ICON_policy_flier_12022019.pdf)
9. [Source](https://icon.ssl.berkeley.edu/facts)
10. [Source](https://spacenews.com/nasa-loses-contact-with-icon-spacecraft/)
11. [Source](https://icon.ssl.berkeley.edu/news/northrop-grumman-innovation-systems-updates-icon-launch-status)
12. [Source](https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/10/09/its-launch-day-things-know-nasas-icon-mission/3919046002/)
13. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2019-068A)