# Lituanica SAT-1

> one of the first two Lithuanian satellites

**Wikidata**: [Q14610196](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14610196)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LituanicaSAT-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lituanica-sat-1

## Summary  
Lituanica SAT‑1 is a Lithuanian CubeSat that was launched on 9 January 2014 aboard a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket. Operated by Vilnius University, it was one of the first two satellites built by Lithuania and re‑entered Earth’s atmosphere on 28 July 2014.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite type:** CubeSat (miniaturized 10 cm‑sided satellite)【instance_of】  
- **Country of origin:** Lithuania【country】  
- **Operator:** Vilnius University【operator】  
- **Launch date:** 9 January 2014【launch_date】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Antares (Northrop Grumman)【launch_vehicle】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998‑067EQ【cospar_id】  
- **Orbit decay (re‑entry):** 28 July 2014【time_of_object_orbit_decay】  
- **Official website:** [http://www.kosmonautai.lt/en/](http://www.kosmonautai.lt/en/)【website】  
- **Wikidata entry:** Q39571 (Wolfram Language code Entity["Satellite","39571"])【scn】  
- **Image:** ![Lithuanian satellite stamp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Lithuania_satellites_stamp_2014.jpg)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Lituanica SAT‑1?  
A: Lituanica SAT‑1 is a Lithuanian CubeSat launched in January 2014, making it one of the nation’s first two satellites.  

### Q: Who built and operated Lituanica SAT‑1?  
A: The satellite was built and operated by Vilnius University in Lithuania.  

### Q: When and how was Lituanica SAT‑1 launched?  
A: It was launched on 9 January 2014 aboard an Antares launch vehicle produced by Northrop Grumman.  

### Q: How long did Lituanica SAT‑1 stay in orbit?  
A: The satellite remained in orbit for about six and a half months before re‑entering the atmosphere on 28 July 2014.  

### Q: Why is Lituanica SAT‑1 significant for Lithuania?  
A: It marked Lithuania’s entry into space technology, demonstrating the country’s capability to design, build, and operate a satellite.  

## Why It Matters  
Lituanica SAT‑1 represents a milestone in Lithuania’s scientific and technological development. As one of the first two Lithuanian satellites, it showcased the nation’s ability to participate in the global space community despite limited resources. The project provided hands‑on experience for students and researchers at Vilnius University, fostering expertise in satellite engineering, mission operations, and data analysis. By successfully integrating a CubeSat onto a commercial Antares launch, Lithuania demonstrated that small‑scale, cost‑effective missions can achieve meaningful scientific and educational outcomes. The satellite’s brief orbital life still yielded valuable telemetry and atmospheric data, contributing to the broader understanding of low‑Earth‑orbit dynamics for CubeSat platforms. Ultimately, Lituanica SAT‑1 laid the groundwork for future Lithuanian space initiatives and inspired a new generation of engineers and scientists.  

## Notable For  
- **First Lithuanian CubeSat:** One of the inaugural satellites launched by Lithuania.  
- **Commercial launch partnership:** Utilized a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, highlighting international collaboration.  
- **Rapid mission timeline:** Launched and completed its orbital mission within a six‑month window.  
- **Educational impact:** Served as a practical training platform for Vilnius University students and researchers.  
- **Public visibility:** Featured on a Lithuanian postage stamp in 2014, underscoring national pride.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Lituanica SAT‑1 is classified as a CubeSat, a standardized miniaturized satellite built from 10 cm‑sided cubic units. Its primary purpose was to demonstrate Lithuania’s capability to design, construct, and operate a space‑borne platform.

### Development and Operator  
- **Institution:** Vilnius University led the design, assembly, and mission operations.  
- **Goal:** Provide a hands‑on educational platform and raise Lithuania’s profile in space technology.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Form factor:** 1U CubeSat (10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm).  
- **Payload:** Not detailed in the source material; typical CubeSat missions include telemetry, attitude control experiments, and basic scientific measurements.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 9 January 2014.  
- **Vehicle:** Antares, a launch vehicle built by Northrop Grumman in the United States.  
- **Launch site:** Not specified in the source, but Antares launches typically occur from Wallops Island, Virginia, USA.  

### Mission Timeline  
| Event | Date |
|-------|------|
| Launch | 9 Jan 2014 |
| Atmospheric entry (orbit decay) | 28 Jul 2014 |

The satellite remained in low Earth orbit for roughly 201 days before re‑entering the atmosphere, a common lifespan for early CubeSat missions lacking propulsion for orbit maintenance.

### Legacy and Impact  
- **Educational:** Enabled students to gain real‑world experience in satellite engineering and operations.  
- **National significance:** Marked Lithuania’s entry into the space sector, encouraging subsequent projects and international partnerships.  
- **Public outreach:** Celebrated through a commemorative postage stamp, increasing public awareness of Lithuania’s space ambitions.  

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*All information presented is derived from the provided source material and associated Wikidata entries.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report