# Lawkanat-1

> Myanmar’s first satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q105948293](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105948293)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMSAT-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lawkanat-1

## Summary
Lawkanat-1 is Myanmar’s first satellite, configured as an Earth observation satellite designed to observe the planet from orbit. Also known as MMSATS-1 or Myanmar Satellite-1, it was successfully launched on February 20, 2021, aboard an Antares launch vehicle. The satellite is assigned the COSPAR ID 1998-067SJ and the SATCAT number 47976.

## Key Facts
- **Identity:** Lawkanat-1 is the first satellite belonging to Myanmar.
- **Alternative Names:** The satellite is also referred to as MMSATS-1, Myanmar Satellite-1, and "erste Satellit Myanmars."
- **Classification:** It is an instance of an Earth observation satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite launched on February 20, 2021.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit by an Antares rocket (produced by Northrop Grumman).
- **Orbital Identifiers:** The satellite holds the COSPAR ID 1998-067SJ and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 47976.
- **Wikipedia Entry:** The satellite's primary Wikipedia title is MMSAT-1, with entries available in languages including English, German, Italian, Indonesian, Burmese, and Pa'O (blk).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Lawkanat-1?
A: Lawkanat-1 is an Earth observation satellite recognized as Myanmar’s first satellite. It is also known by the designations MMSATS-1 and Myanmar Satellite-1.

### Q: When was Lawkanat-1 launched?
A: Lawkanat-1 was launched on February 20, 2021.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Lawkanat-1?
A: The satellite was launched using an Antares launch vehicle, which is produced by the American aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman.

## Why It Matters
Lawkanat-1 represents a significant milestone in the technological capabilities of Myanmar, marking the country's entry into the space age as the operator of its first satellite. As an Earth observation satellite, it provides the nation with the capacity to observe the Earth from orbit, a capability typically used for mapping, environmental monitoring, and resource management.

The successful deployment of this satellite demonstrates the integration of Myanmar into the global space community. Launched via the Antares system, the project highlights international cooperation in space logistics. The existence of the satellite, cataloged internationally as 1998-067SJ, moves Myanmar beyond reliance on third-party data to potentially acquiring its own remote sensing data, establishing a sovereign asset in low Earth orbit.

## Notable For
- **National First:** Distinguished as the very first satellite owned and operated by Myanmar.
- **Specific Function:** Designed specifically for Earth observation, differentiating it from communication or navigation satellites.
- **International Recognition:** Assigned formal international identifiers (COSPAR 1998-067SJ and SCN 47976), officially cataloging it in the global record of space objects.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** The satellite is documented across Wikipedia in at least six languages, including Burmese and Pa'O, reflecting its local cultural significance.

## Body
### Identity and Designation
Lawkanat-1 acts as the inaugural space asset for the nation of Myanmar. While officially titled "Lawkanat-1" in some contexts, structured data and Wikipedia entries often refer to it as **MMSAT-1** or **Myanmar Satellite-1**. The entity is classified as an **Earth observation satellite**, defined as an artificial satellite specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit.

### Launch and Orbital Data
The satellite was successfully delivered into space on **February 20, 2021**. The launch was executed using an **Antares** launch vehicle. Antares is a class of rocket produced by Northrop Grumman from the United States.

Upon successful deployment, the object was logged in the Satellite Catalog (SATCAT) with the number **47976**. It was assigned the international COSPAR ID **1998-067SJ**, which uniquely identifies the satellite based on its launch date and parent mission.

### Data and References
The satellite is referenced across multiple knowledge domains, evidenced by a sitelink count of 6 across various Wikipedia language editions (including English, German, Indonesian, Italian, Burmese, and Pa'O). Key data points regarding its launch date and vehicle are supported by references found in structured knowledge bases associated with the identifier Q6272367.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report