# M-Cubed

> former American CubeSat

**Wikidata**: [Q6712042](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6712042)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Cubed)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/m-cubed

## Summary
M-Cubed was a former American CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite developed as a technology demonstration spacecraft. Operated by the University of Michigan, it was launched in 2011 to test experimental technologies in space.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Technology demonstration spacecraft and CubeSat.
- **Launch Date**: October 28, 2011, at 09:48:02 UTC.
- **Mass**: 1.0877 kilograms.
- **Operator**: University of Michigan.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II rocket (D-357).
- **Orbit Decay**: Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on June 30, 2024.
- **Power Source**: Solar cells and rechargeable batteries (2.01 Ah).
- **Manufacturer**: University of Michigan (with payload contributions from Jet Propulsion Laboratory).
- **Successor**: M-Cubed-2, another American CubeSat.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of M-Cubed?
A: M-Cubed was a technology demonstration spacecraft designed to test experimental technologies in a CubeSat format.

### Q: When was M-Cubed launched?
A: M-Cubed was launched on October 28, 2011, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.

### Q: Who operated M-Cubed?
A: The University of Michigan operated M-Cubed.

### Q: What happened to M-Cubed?
A: M-Cubed re-entered Earth's atmosphere on June 30, 2024, marking the end of its mission.

### Q: What was the mass of M-Cubed?
A: M-Cubed had a mass of 1.0877 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
M-Cubed played a significant role in advancing CubeSat technology, which is crucial for cost-effective space research and education. As a technology demonstration spacecraft, it helped validate new technologies in a real-space environment, contributing to the broader field of small satellite development. Its mission also provided valuable data and experience for the University of Michigan and other institutions involved in CubeSat projects. The success of M-Cubed paved the way for subsequent missions like M-Cubed-2, furthering the capabilities and applications of CubeSats in space exploration and research.

## Notable For
- **Technology Demonstration**: M-Cubed was specifically designed to demonstrate experimental technologies in space.
- **CubeSat Format**: It was a miniaturized satellite made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules, showcasing the potential of CubeSats.
- **University Involvement**: Operated and manufactured by the University of Michigan, highlighting the role of academic institutions in space research.
- **Payload Contribution**: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory contributed to the payload, adding to the mission's technological significance.
- **Orbit Decay**: M-Cubed had a notable mission duration, re-entering Earth's atmosphere in 2024.

## Body
### Overview
M-Cubed, also known as Michigan Multipurpose Minisat or M-Cubed/COVE, was a former American CubeSat. It was classified as a technology demonstration spacecraft, aimed at testing experimental technologies in space.

### Launch and Mission
- **Launch Date**: M-Cubed was launched on October 28, 2011, at 09:48:02 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: The satellite was launched using a Delta II rocket (D-357) from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.
- **Significant Event**: The launch was part of a mission that included other satellites such as Suomi NPP, RAX-2, AubieSat-1, and Hiscock Radiation Belt Explorer.

### Specifications
- **Mass**: M-Cubed had a mass of 1.0877 kilograms.
- **Power Source**: The satellite was powered by solar cells and rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 2.01 Ah.
- **Manufacturer**: The University of Michigan manufactured M-Cubed, with payload contributions from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

### Mission Duration and Decay
- **Orbit Decay**: M-Cubed re-entered Earth's atmosphere on June 30, 2024, marking the end of its mission.

### Successor
- **M-Cubed-2**: The successor to M-Cubed, M-Cubed-2, is another American CubeSat, continuing the legacy of technology demonstration and CubeSat development.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "M-Cubed",
  "description": "A former American CubeSat used for technology demonstration.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345678", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Cubed"],
  "additionalType": "CubeSat"
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/m-cubed.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mjregan/MCubed/Pages/Documents/Power%20Budget/Copy%20of%202011-06-22%20%20M-CUBED-COVE%20%20Power%20Budget.pdf)
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37855)
5. [Source](http://www-personal.umich.edu/%7Emjregan/MCubed/Pages/Documents/Mass%20Budget/MCubed%20Mass%20Budget.pdf)